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Perens - ANNIVERSARY ce 


A Oh JBL EBRATION | 


PURINES “RIDLEY PARK ae 
an PRES BYTERIAN | CHURCH 7 ue 





Race 


LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 


PRINCETON, N. J. 


PRESENTED BY — 


‘Ney. irederich | Sch weitzer, 


BA 92411. Ro whos oes 
Ridley Park Presbyterian 
Church (Ridley Park, Pa.) 
The fiftieth anniversary 
celebration of the Ridlev 

















Ole 
Guloaen 
Anniler sary 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2022 with funding from 
Princeton Theological Seminary Library 


https://archive.org/details/fiftiethanniversOOridl 








rlrome 


The 
Fiftieth Anniversary 
Celebration 


of the 


“TROT DIT EE NY TRPANIRS 
Bio By TERIAN GHURGH 


May 16 and 17, 1925 


RIDLEY PARK, PA. 
1925 


PRESS OF 


ITs 


INNES & SONS 
PHILADELPHIA 








CHARLES E. RIGHTER 


THE ‘‘MAN AT THE Door” FoR 20 YEARS, AND KNOWN TO MORE PEOPLE THAN 
ANY OTHER PERSON IN THE CONGREGATION. 


Miss HELEN AGNES ERNST. 


INTRODUCTION 


This volume is published with a threefold purpose. 

With grateful appreciation we desire to give permanent form 
to the record of that generation which had the vision to establish, 
and the consecration to sustain, the Presbyterian Church in Ridley 
Park in the early days of its history. 

Through a better appreciation of the worth of the institu- 
tion which we have received after a half century of patient and 
sacrificial endeavor, we hope to further inspire and unite the present 
generation in the fullest acceptance of our Christian responsibilities 
to the community, nation and world in which we live. 

As a Church our greatest concern is that we shall so minister 
‘to the rising generations of young people that they shall never cease 
to reveal the spirit and love of the Master. Within the covers of 
this book are many records and pictures of the men and women of 
tomorrow. If the influence of this volume through picture or 
memory shall serve in any way to sustain that Way of Life they 
have learned in this Church—our reward shall be sufficient. 


COMPILERS’ NOTES 


It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge the assistance 
given us in the preparation of the little history of our Church: all 
to whom we have turned for articles, pictures or reminiscences 
have been exceedingly kind and have given whatever they pos- 
sessed. he pleasure of social contact with these friends has amply 
rewarded us for the effort, if any reward was needed. We regret 
that our time and ability have not allowed a larger and better work, 
but we hope that the facts recorded in type and illustration may 
be of interest to the present, and may we also hope that some may 
be of value to future generations when our primitive life will seem 
very crude indeed. 


Fie Ge Eves: 
W. H. STANTON. 


LOOKING BACKWARD 


HE TIMES are changed and we. are changed with 
them.” The sky is just as blue, the grass is just as 
green, the trees are just as sociable and ambitious, the 





melody of birds accompanied by the harmony of flowers 
is just as sweet as when we first saw and heard and thrilled. 
It is man’s work that changes; inspired and kept by the spirit of 
God, it is progress. 

For half a century, the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church 
has progressed. Its merits and demerits, be they many or few, 
are in the keeping of Him, who said: “Ye are my witnesses”’; 
their appraisal is not for man. A calm rests upon the beginning 
as when some divine influence walks upon waves of anxiety and 
brings good cheer. Its actors overcame; for their reward earth 
gave them its newest robes of green, but faith looked beyond and 
saw their robes whiten in His presence for whom they had 
wrought. 

When in 1871-72 the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti- 
more Railroad Company straightened its line between Gray’s 
Ferry and Ridley Creek, a number of new settlements sprang 
up along the route. Ridley Park was not the least of these in 
natural advantages and attractive features. At first it was a 
village in Ridley Township, but on December 12, 1887, it was 
erected into a Borough. ‘There was but one Church, the Baptist, 
7 


within its limits; today there are five. The Ridley Church, 
near Leiperville, bevond the Ridley Park boundary, was attached 
to Chester Presbytery, but was not flourishing. This was the 
situation at the time the Ridley Park Church had its beginning. 

On the opening pages of the original Session Minute Book 
a “Historical Sketch” of the Church appears. Its authorship is 
not positively known—probably it was the work of Mr. John 
Craig, who had charge of the church records at that time. This 
has been printed and circulated in the past, but is reproduced 
here as an essential part of this review, as follows: 


HISTORICAL SKETCH 
OF 


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 


RIDLEY PARK, DELAWARE COUNTY 
PENNSYLVANIA 


During the spring and summer of the year One Thousand 
Eight Hundred and Seventy-three (1873) religious services were 
held in the station house of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and 
Baltimore Railroad at Ridley Park, Delaware County, Pennsyl- 
vania, by the Rev. Charles H. Ewing, then Pastor of the Ridley 
Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Chester. In the autumn 
of the same year the expediency of changing the location of 
the Ridley Church to Ridley Park was brought before the Presby- 
tery and a Commission of Presbytery appointed, of which J. W. 
Dale, D.D., was Chairman, to examine into the condition of 
the Ridley Church, and also into the new field opening at Ridley 
Park. “The Commission met at both places, and conferred with 
various persons who were interested in the matter, but there was 
no immediate result and the movement seemed to be for the 


time a failure. 





JOHN CRAIG 


1828-1901. 


HE WAS THE FIRST RULING ELDER AND CLERK OF THE SESSION AND IS BELIEVED TO HAVE 
WRITTEN THE “HISTORICAL SKETCH” OF THE CHURCH. 


MRS. MARGARET CRAIG 
1826-1908, 
MARRIED OCTOBER 6, 1847. 


In November of the year One Thousand Eight Hundred 
and Seventy-four (1874) there was a revival of the scheme and 
several meetings were held, to which the Rev. Mr. Ewing was 
invited to be present and to preside. 

Although expressing himself favorable to the enterprise, he 
Was not present at the meetings. “Those who attended, after ° 
conference, decided that an independent movement was expedient 
and necessary, and at a meeting held on the 30th of December, 

9 


1874, Mr. R. D. Henderson, a ruling elder of the First Presby- 
terian Church, Darby, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, *and a 
resident of the vicinity of Ridley Park, proposed as a first step 
in the new enterprise the establishment of a Sabbath School and 
the in-gathering of the children, believing that regular services 
and the organization of a church would certainly follow. Mr. 
John Smith, the Superintendent of Ridley Park, announced that 
he would place the dining room of the hotel at the disposal 
of the Sabbath School until the hotel was regularly opened for 
guests in the summer. 

Accordingly the first session of the Sabbath School was 
held at the hotel on the first Sabbath of January, 1875, and 
‘on every subsequent Sabbath until May of the same year, when 
it was transferred to a room occupied by Rev. John FE. Alex- 
ander, D.D. (a Presbyterian minister then resident of the place), 
as a day school. 


(It has now come to our notice that Dr. Alexander was 
chosen President of Washington College, East ‘Tennessee, in 
Loi 7s) 

After the removal to this place measures were taken to 
give permanency to the movement. An organ was purchased 
and pews sufficient to seat about sixty (60) persons were pro- 
vided, and from this time forth regular morning and evening 
services were held, the preaching being done by Rev. Mr. Alex- 
ander and others. “he Superintendent of the Sunday School for 
the first few months was Mr. Robert D. Henderson, and after 
his withdrawal, Mr. Henry Holcomb was chosen Superintendent, 
and continued to act in that capacity until January, 1877. 


Meanwhile the Ridley Park Association offered to the con- 
gregation lots numbers 651 and 652 as a site for a church build- 
ing, free of all incumbrance upon the condition that the edifice 
should be under roof within one year from the day of the grant. 
The attention of the Presbyterial Commission was again drawn 
to the advance made by the congregation, and a second meeting 

10 



































































































































































































































































































































































































































STATION AT RIDLEY PARK, 1875 


(P. W. & B. RATLROAD) WHERE THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SERVICES 
WERE HELD. 


This line cut furnished by Robert Rodgers. 


was held by the Commission June 21, 1875. At that meeting 
the persons present bound themselves to supply the pulpit regu- 
larly for one year. In view of this, the Commission proceeded 
to receive Certificates of Membership from other churches and 
from persons wishing to unite in the formation of a Presbyterian 
Church at Ridley Park. At this stage of the business it was 
thought wise to delay for a time and the Commission adjourned, 
yiving the chairman, Rev. Dr. Dale, authority to ordain an 
elder and perfect the organization when it seemed expedient to 
do so. After this date the movement, for reasons not necessary 
to state, seemed to lose life and promise. “The congregation 
| 


became very small and those who continued to attend became 
so discouraged that there was a serious discussion in regard to 
discontinuing the services. 

At this juncture Mr. Henry Holcomb called on Rev. Dr. 
M. B. Grier, Editor of the ‘Presbyterian,’ residing in Phila- 
delphia, and stated the condition of the congregation, and the 
fear which was felt that the whole enterprise would prove a 
failure. Dr. Grier promised that if the people would continue 
the effort, he would preach for them a few Sabbaths and give 
them his best counsel for the future. He preached on the last 
Sabbath of August, 1875, and during the month of September, 
and at a Congregational Meeting held September 20th, he was 
invited to supply the pulpit for one year, with the understanding 
that his work in the church should not interfere with his editorial 
duties. A salary of four hundred (400) dollars per annum 
was offered Dr. Grier; the invitation was accepted and the 
services continued. 

As the congregation increased and the interest in the move- 
ment was renewed, measures were taken for the erection of a 
chapel on the lots already given by the Ridley Park Association 
at the corner of Ridley and Swarthmore Avenues. Plans of a 
building were prepared by Mr. A. W. Dilks, of Philadelphia, 
and Messrs. H. F. Kenney and D. R. B. Nevin were appointed 
as a Building Committee. In December, 1875, excavations were 
made and foundation walls were built. The winter delayed the 
work, but in the spring of 1876 the builders were again at 
work and the chapel was rapidly pushed forward until on Sabbath, 
September 10, 1876, it was dedicated with appropriate services 
to the worship of Almighty God, greatly to the joy of the few 
persons who had struggled so long and earnestly for the estab- 
lishment of a Presbyterian Church at Ridley Park. 

A charter for the new church was obtained at the September 
term, 1876, of the Court of Delaware County, and in the month 


12 





DR. MATTHEW BLACKBURNE GRIER, 1820-1899 


FIRST MINISTER AND FIRM FRIEND OF THE CHURCH, EDITOR OF ‘“‘THE PRESBYTERIAN.” 
WE REGRET THERE IS NO AVAILABLE PHOTOGRAPH OF Mrs. Marta DUNBAR CUYLER 
GRIER, HIS WIFE, WHO WAS MOST HELPFUL TO THE EARLY CHURCH. 


of October following, the following gentlemen were elected the 
first Trustees of the new church, viz.: 


Major D. R. B. Nevin, President; John A. Craig, Secretary; 
13 


Jesse Noble, Treasurer; also Mr. George W. Shirley and Mr. 
Richard B. Stewart. 

On November 5, 1876, the Commission of the Presbytery 
of Chester again assembled in the new chapel at Ridley Park. 
There were present at this meeting: Rev. Dr. Dale, Chairman; 
Rev. Dr. B. B. Hotchkin, Rev. Phillip H. Mowry, Rev. F. H. 
Robbins, and Mr. John Cochran, Elder. ‘he following persons 
presented certificates of dismission from other churches which 
were found to be in order, viz.: 

Mrs. Rebecca C. Nevin, of Calvary Presbyterian Church, 
Philadelphia; Mrs. Emmeline Carr, of First Presbyterian Church, 
Darby, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; Mr. Henry Holcomb, 
of Ridley Presbyterian Church; Misses Elizabeth and Phoebe 
Parry, of Ridley Presbyterian Church, Ridley, Delaware County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Mr. John Craig, Mrs. Margaret Craig, Mr. John A. Craig, 
- Alice B. Craig, William A. Craig, of the Third Presbyterian 
Church, Philadelphia. 

Major D. R. B. Nevin and Mrs. Jane T. Smith were re- 
ceived on profession of faith in Christ. Mr. John Craig was 
unanimously elected ruling Elder in the church. After singing, 
reading of Scriptures and prayer by Rev. Dr. Dale and Rev. Dr. 
Hotchkin, the above-mentioned persons were regularly constituted 
into the Presbyterian Church, Ridley Park, under the care of the 
Presbytery of Chester, and the synod of Pennsylvania. 

On the evening of November 23, 1876, Mr. John Craig, 
Elder-elect of the church, was solemnly set apart to his office by 
prayer and the laying on of hands. On this occasion the sermon 
was preached by the Rev. R. H. Allen, of Philadelphia, the 
former pastor of Mr. Craig, and the other services performed by 
the pastor of the church. 

The entire cost of the new chapel was $5,500.00 and the 
estimated value of the new chapel, lots and buildings, is $7,326.00. 

At the termination of the first year of Dr. Grier’s services 

14 


the congregation unanimously requested him to continue to supply 
the pulpit for another year. 

~ Thus far has the Presbyterian Church at Ridley Park been 
brought by the favor of God and the earnest efforts of the 
people, and the session of the Church before proceeding to its 
regular record of duties would gratefully put on record this 
sketch of the way in which God has led this small, but promising, 
enterprise. 


January, 1877. 
From the minutes of first session meetings the following 
“beginnings” have been gleaned, as of interest to all: 


FIRST COMMUNION 


Ridley Park, Delaware County, Pa. 
February 14, 1877. 


A meeting of the session was called to set apart the day for 
the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and the admission to all 
the privileges of the Church. On Sabbath, February 18, 1877 
(the time chosen), there were at least 28 persons in all, who 
communed, and a most precious time was enjoyed. Present at 
meeting of Session: Rev. Dr. Grier and Mr. John Craig, closed 
with prayer. 


JoHN Caraic, Clerk. 


FIRST RECORD OF DEATH 
OF A MEMBER 


January 20, 1878. 


“Truly the Lord is in this place’? was the expression of our 
hearts as we sat around our Lord’s table. Some 32 communed. 
Most impressive sermon and exercises. Our dear sister, Jane 
T. Smith, passed to her reward and was buried on Thursday, 
November 15, 1877, in Ridley Park Cemetery. We believe our 


15 


loss to be her eternal gain. God grant that all of us may have 
our lamps trimmed and burning, and be ready for the coming 
of the Lord, and that we may all sit down at the marriage 
supper of the Lamb. 


FIRST SUNDAY SCHOLAR TO JOIN 
ON PROFESSION OF FAITH 


Ridley Park, Delaware County, Pa. 
April 15, 1878. 


A meeting of the session was held this evening after the 
preparatory services. 

Rey. Dr. Grier presiding, and opened with prayer. Miss 
Annie Anderson presented herself for admission to membership 
in our church. Upon examination into the reasons and her hopes 
in thus applying, she gave a clear and satisfactory evidence, and, 
after prayer, on motion, she was duly accepted and received. 

This being the first fruits from our Sabbath School, deep and 
heartfelt thanksgivings were offered to Our Heavenly Father. 

Mrs. Anderson, her mother, Sophia Anderson, also presented 
a certificate of dismissal from the old Ridley Presbyterian Church, 
of which she had been a member for a number of years and of 
which her husband is at present an elder. 

On motion the certificate was received, and the sister regu- 
larly received and admitted to membership in this church. 

Communion Sabbath, all present, and some from sister 
churches. 


Meeting closed with prayer. 
JOHN Craie, Clerk. 


After work of the pioneers as set forth therein, for which 
too much credit cannot be given to the workers, growth and 
development followed under Pastors, Elders, Trustees, Sabbath 
School and other organized efforts in due course. 

Naturally the chief interest lies in the Pastors who, under 
changing conditions, have led the Church onward. 


16 


THE PASTORS 


Rev. Matthew B. Grier, D.D., to whom reference has been 
made, was the first to discharge the duties of that office, although 
he was not installed by the Presbytery, or appointed officially 
as Stated Supply, but preached regularly and performed such 
pastoral work as his editorial duties permitted. Scholarly, wise, 
lovable, gentle in rebuke, patient withal, the word was in his 
mind, the Cross was in his heart. He was not only a founder 
and leader, but also a reserve force for sincere effort, a background 
for Christian enterprise. At the place of his birth, his beloved 
Brandywine Manor Church, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 
long since hung upon its wall a tablet bearing silent witness to his 
worth and service. Moreover, at several points in the South 
he taught and preached until the outbreak of the Civil War and 
left the impress of a good quality that like mercy was not strained. 


In 1861 he became Assistant Editor and later Editor of 
the ‘Presbyterian,’ and continued until God took him. He 
began in the Ridley Park Church, in August, 1873, and retired 
October 14, 1884. His death occurred January 23, 1899, in 
Philadelphia. 

It is impossible for any who knew him in the early days of 
the Church not to revere his memory. 

Before ceasing his labors here, Dr. Grier introduced a young 
student from Princeton Seminary, Rev. Henry Schlosser, who 


remained, however, less than one year. He was installed October 


14, 1884, and retired on September 3, 1885. 


An extended vacancy followed and supplies were heard, 
notably Rev. Professor Benjamin T. Jones, of Lincoln University, 
Pennsylvania. His spiritual and intellectual power was quickly 
evident and his personality charmed, but the increasing need 
of a Pastor was felt by all; thereupon the Rev. Henry D. Nor- 
throp, D.D., of Philadelphia, accepted a call after due con- 
sideration. He had previously held a citv charge, but relinquished 

17 





HENRY D. NORTHROP 


MINISTER. 


it for literary work as author and publisher. He felt it his duty 
to continue residing in Philadelphia and in consequence his pas- 
toral work was limited. It was in the pulpit that he excelled. 
He faced the simple Gospel truth without question and presented 
it as one who had personal knowledge of its reality. He had 
the pen of a ready writer and the art of expression, its ally. His 


personality attracted, he was your friend and wished you well. 
He was installed in April, 1887, and retired April 12, 1892. 


He died March 25, 1910, at Yonkers, New York. 
18 





FREDERICK SWARTZ CRAWFORD 


MINISTER, BORN 1849. 


PASTOR IN BRIDGEWATER, CONN. 


It might be said of him: he was loyal to truth, tolerant to 
error, wise in thought, silver in speech. 

For more than a year and a half following Dr. Northrop’s 
retirement the Church was again without a Pastor and depended 
upon supplies. On November 21, 1893, Rev. F. Swartz Craw- 
ford, D.D., left his charge near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to accept 
the Ridley Park Pastorate. He was installed accordingly and 
continued until in December, 1900. His reputation for effective 
pulpit work had followed him and was at once confirmed here. 
Moreover, the sincerity of his desire for spiritual results was 
beyond question. When, however, he was wanted in the larger 


19 


ADA VERE CRAWFORD 


(Mrs. CHARLES M. POMEROY) 





church at Indiana, Pennsylvania, he recognized a greater oppor- 
tunity for usefulness and accepted the call. 





FREDERICK McDONALD CRAWFORD 


CARL McMASTER CRAWFORD 


(LEFT) ELDER AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SUNDAY SCHOOL IN FIRST 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CHESTER. 


20 





SAMUEL THOMAS LINTON LILLA REED LINTON 
MINISTER. (Mrs. S. T.). 


Rev. Samuel JT. Linton, from the Reedsville, Pennsylvania, 
Church, succeeded Dr. Crawford as Pastor, May 27, 1901, and 
continued until the day of his death, on January 10, 1916. His 
pastorate, therefore, was the longest in the history of the Ridley 
Park Church and the growth in membership and influence lifted 
the local church to its present importance in the Presbytery. 





MARY ALICE LINTON 
21 


He threw his whole being into his work and loved it; he 
took his people into his heart and loved them. He _ preached 
the truth they knew was old and wondered why it seemed so 
new. He spoke well because his soul was aflame; he cheered 
the troubled, because he was sure; he lifted the erring, because 
he was strong; he wiped tears away, because he understocd. 
With all his tenderness he was the dynamic of progress. He 
wrought for the building not made with hands, with plan and 
purpose he wrought also for the building where God and his 
people and himself were to meet. ‘[rustfully he guided the 
laying of the cornerstone for the edifice of today, devoutly he 
thanked God at its dedication and forgot his burden. His pass- 
ing made no sound; when they closed his eyes, one could tell 
the way he went by the footprints of his life. 

On November 28, 1916, Rev. Frederick B. Limerick as- 
sumed the Pastorate, bringing with him from his church at 
~ Braddock, Pennsylvania, experience, tact, intellectual power and 
spiritual quality. He had walked in Galilee with his Master and 
learned to keep step. “There was none to question his simple 
faith and none to mistake the evidence of it in his life. His 
religion kept him true to his high calling, his personality was 
the sign that love hung out inviting all to share with him. He 
not only rejoiced with them that rejoiced, but lighted the dark- 
ened rooms of those that knew no joy. If Mr. Linton wiped 
away the tears of the sorrowing, the sunshine of Mr. Limerick’s 
smile dried their eyes. He was another disciple whom Jesus 
loved and love for his people was his response to the divine 
approval. He gave his best and was content. Between his days 
of service and nights of well-earned rest lay the twilight of 
peace. He preached the truth in its purity, and in the mystic 
union of mind and heart the church progressed. Eloquent in 
thought and serene in its translation his influence overtopped its 
borders and the little outside testified to the making of man. 

De 





FREDERICK BUCK LIMERICK MARY HOWELL LIMERICK 


MINISTER. (Vie Se ees) 
Born June 24, 1882. Diep OcTOBER 6, 1918. 





SARAH TOWNSEND LIMERICK 
AGE 4 YEARS. 
FREDERICK BUCK LIMERICK, JR. 


AGE 2 YEARS. 1915-1918. PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN 1917. 


23 


With winsome sincerity he served his God, his people and his 
country withal; his very life worn out with sacrifice. We cannot 
fathom the mystery of his passing, but are rich in the tender 
grace which he bequeathed. 

The end came October 6, 1918. He had known his Lord 
so well here he needed no introduction at the entrance to the new. 

The church was sorely tried. Within a short period two 
Pastors, able and much loved, had been taken from it. “This 
record, therefore, would be far from complete if it did not contain 
grateful acknowledgment of the helpful service as a supply during 
a large part of the immediate and succeeding vacancies, of Rey. 
Park Hays Miller, so well and favorably known by his editorial 
work in the Board of Christian Education. His ready response, 
“Here am I, send me,” his graceful, convincing and opportune 
pulpit deliverances, his kind counsel and Christian courtesy en- 
deared him to our hearts from which there will be, for him, no 
exit doors. 

On November 11, 1919, the Rev. David Hughes Edwards, 
after a short pastorate in central New York, and later Assistant 
Minister in the Church of the Covenant, Washington, D. C., 
was installed as Pastor; continuing until September 25, 1923, 
when he was released by the Presbytery. Gifted in mental equip- 
ment, versed in the arts of oratory and favored with youth, 
confidence and opportunity, his preaching proved attractive and 
a substantial net increase in membership began. 

After nearly four years, however, he received a flattering 
call from the Church of the Redeemer, at Paterson, New Jersey, 
and accepted the call. 

‘The present incumbent, Rev. Frederick Schweitzer, followed 
the further helpful ministration of the Rev. Mr. Miller as supply. 
Mr. Schweitzer came from the Second Presbyterian Church, at 
Cranbury, New Jersey, where he is affectionately remembered 

24 





DAVID HUGHES EDWARDS 


MINISTER. 


EVA MAY KENYON EDWARDS 
(Mrs 3D: He): 


by what he has done. He entered upon his labors at Ridley 
Park officially May 9, 1924. His quest is not praise, but co- 
operation. In one short year, however, his loyalty to the word, 
his graceful utterance, his virility, his inspirations to individual 
effort, his interest in old and young alike, his analysis of ways 
and means, his genial contact in church and home, these and more 
have proved his credentials and are gratefully accepted as an 
earnest of the future. Already the field is abloom. ‘The view 
from the hillside pleases and, looking toward the peak, we thank 
God and take courage. 
25 





FREDERICK SCHWEITZER 


MINISTER. 


B. DORA SCHWEITZER 
(Mrs. F. 





26 





THE PULPIT FURNITURE 


OF THE FRAME CHURCH. PHOTO IN PRESENT SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM 1925. THE PULPIT, 
MINISTER’S CHAIR, TWO ELDERS’ CHAIRS, COMMUNION TABLE, CLOTH, AND THE SILVER 
COMMUNION SET WHICH WAS PRESENTED BY Miss CHAUNCEY. 


THE ELDERS 


Previous to April 25, 1923, when the Rotative System, so 
called, was adopted, Ruling Elders were installed for life, or 
until dismissed to another jurisdiction. On the date named 
eight elders were named and chosen for terms of one, two, three 
and four years, by twos respectively; all to be ineligible for 
re-election until the lapse of one year. 

Sincerely all have sought, not the exercise of authority as 
such, but helpfulness by co-operation and counsel, avoiding con- 
troversy, but unafraid to distinguish between truth and error. 
They have shared responsibility and, least of all, do they invite 
comparisons. ‘“lheir names follow in the order of installations: 
(See Historical Sketch) 


27 





HORATIO BARDWELL LINCOLN 


AN ELDER IN A FORMER CHURCH AND GOOD FRIEND OF OUR CHURCH. HE GAVE THE FIRST 
INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION SET. AFTER HIS DEATH HIS CHILDREN ADDED A DUPLICATE SET. 


SARAH WARD LINCOLN 
(Mrs. H. B.) 


JOHN CRAIG 
Installed November 23, 1876 
Dismissed January 19, 1881 


HENRY C. KEYES 
Installed March 6, 1881 
Still in office as Elder and Clerk; but, under the Rotative 
System, term will expire March 31, 1928 


THOMAS G. HAPPERSETT 
Installed April 12, 1885 
Dismissed November 27, 1890 


28 





SAMUEL C. ANDERSON 
AN ELDER, 1885-1890. 


SAMUEL ANDERSON (Leiperville) 
Installed May 31, 1885 
Deceased October 11, 1890 


WILLIAM HAMILTON (Norwood) 
Installed May 3, 1885 
Dismissed February 17, 1890 


JAMES S. STACKHOUSE 
Installed May 17, 1891 
Dismissed September 27, 1903 


JAMES A. McKNIGHT 
Installed February 14, 1904 
Deceased April 20, 1915 


2) 


CHARLES T. CRANDALL 
Installed February 14, 1904 
Dismissed March 14, 1906 


CHARLES E. RIGHTER 
Installed March 10, 1907 
Still in office, term will expire March 31, 1928 


WILLIAM H. STANTON 
Installed June 17, 1917 
Still in office, term will expire March 31, 1927 


SAMUEL B. HENRY 
Installed June 17, 1917 
Still in ofhce as Elder and Treasurer 
Term will expire March 31, 1927 


W. J. BOSTON 
Installed May 6, 1923 
Term expired March 31, 1925 


J. A. MacMURCHY 
Installed May 6, 1923 
Term expired March 31, 1925 


GEORGE W. ATHERHOLT 
Installed May 6, 1923 
Still in office, term will expire March 31, 1926 


CLARENCE S. PLATT 
Installed May 6, 1923 
Still in office, term will expire March 31, 1926 


JAMES M. SMITH 
Installed April 19, 1925 
Still in office, term will expire March 31, 1929 


ARTHURS CSDELE 
Installed April 19, 1925 
Still in office, term will expire March 31, 1929 


Menrny Ch huge 


30 


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In memory of Dr. Grier, the first Minister in charge of 
our church, a marble tablet was placed in the Forks of Brandy- 
wine (Brandywine Manor) Church in Chester County, Penna. 
Rev. H. H. Kurtz, Minister, kindly gives the inscription as 
follows: 


In Loving Memory 
of 
REV. MATTHEW BLACKBURN GRIER @DID= EIA; 


a son of this church 
by birth, by baptism and by confession of his faith 
in Jesus Christ, his Saviour. 
After a life of service 
he rests beneath the shadow of these walls 
awaiting the coming of the Lord 


1820 — 1899 


WwW 
Do 





THE CHAPEL 


THE FIRST RIDLEY PARK PRESBYTERIAN ‘‘CHAPEL”’ ERECTED IN 1876. ‘‘THE CHILDREN’S 
RooM” WAS ADDED IN 1884, AND THE WINGS IN 1897. THIS FRAME BUILDING WAS TORN 
DOWN IN 1914 AND THE STONE CHURCH BUILT ON THE SAMEF SITE. 


A RETROSPECT 
COUNTRY village with a well-appointed hotel ; public 
parks; a beautiful lake; streets laid out in symmetrical 
lines on a broad, comprehensive plan; abundant shade 





trees in rich variety, from the graceful silver birch and 
the hardy, shapely Norway maple, to the wide-spreading, stately 
elm—all, then, in embryo, but which, a half century later, have 
become the joy and pride and chief natural attraction of our 


beautiful borough. 
These were the children of the brain of a highly-skilled, far- 


33 





visioned landscape gardener-artist from New England—Mr. Cope- 
land—engaged by the Ridley Park Association, which had acquired 
most of the unoccupied land. 

It was the artistic expression of the laudable ambition of the 
Ridley Park Association to duplicate on the Philadelphia, Wil- 
mington and Baltimore Railroad, what had been done at Bryn 
Mawr, on the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. 

And thus everything, even to a cemetery (afterwards aban- 
doned), had been supplied wherewith to provide for man’s cultural 
needs from the cradle to the grave. 

Such was Ridley Park fifty years ago, with a population of 
less than one hundred, when dwellings were few and widely 
scattered and when all the luxuries which have become necessities 
were still in the lap of the gods, unworshipped and unsung. 

‘There were no telephones, there was no gas, no electric light, 
no “metropolitan” sidewalks, no dustless roads, no street railways, 
no wireless telegraphy, no radio, no moving pictures, no automo- 
biles. If a neighborly call was on the program for the evening, 
all you had to do was to light up your tubular oil lantern 
which was kept trimmed in a convenient place in the hallway 
and you were equipped for the adventure. If an adverse fate had 
decreed that the girl should live at a remote distance, all you had 
to do was to hitch up your horse and buggy (if you had one) 
or borrow a sympathetic neighbor’s (if you hadn’t) and there you 
were: again equipped for the adventure. If she lived in your 
immediate neighborhood and it became necessary to take her to a 
far-off event, the perils of the nocturnal hazard were lessened 
because they were shared. 

Besides, in those remote days the horse was noted for his 
perspicacity, practice had developed his sense of direction, and 
propinquity even then had become a comforter if not a prophy- 
lactic. In fact, the “horse and buggy” was the greatest matri- 
monial agency of the period, and that swain who was the for- 

34 





WILLIAM W. MADDOCK 


ATTENDED FIRST MEETING TO CONSIDER ORGANIZING A 
PRESBYTERTAN CHURCH. 


tunate possessor of a spirited (but sagacious) animal and a Rogers 
buggy, had about the same advantage (at the start) as the present- 
day possessor of a Rolls-Royce has over the owner of a Ford. 


Simple days and simple ways and simple folk they were, but 
they possessed that far-seeing vision and wisdom, inherited from 
long lines of God-fearing forebears, which constrained them to 
found each pioneer venture upon the schoolhouse and the Church. 


And so we find in going over the old records of the Board 
of Trustees, that as early as 1874 the immigrant Presbyterians, 
the Congregationalists (who were then Presbyterians in every 
thing except that they had no Presbyteries nor General Assemblies 
wherein they might fight over doctrinal differences) and others 

35 





RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM W. MADDOCK 


Puotro, 1925. 


favorable to the movement, began to plan for establishing a Pres- 
byterian Church in that part of Ridley “Township which had been 
named Ridley Park. 


The first meeting “of persons favorable to the erection of a 
Presbyterian Church at Ridley Park” was called for the evening of 
‘Thursday, December 3rd, 1874, in the Ridley Park Hotel (erected 
on the site of Dr. Chas. A. Ernst’s property) and those present 
were D. R. B. Nevin, Roderic Fraser, William Maddock, Henry 
Holcomb, and John Smith; Major Nevin acting as Chairman, 
and John Smith Secretary of the meeting. 

After appointing Mr. Holcomb and Mr. Smith a Committee 
with instructions to report what subscriptions they could get, at 
an adjourned meeting called for December 10th at the same place 


36 





JESSE W. NOBLE 
1828-1879. 
A MEMBER AND TREASURER OF THE FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES. HE LIVED ON A FARM 
NORTH OF THE BOROUGH NEAR SWARTHMORE Roap. 


ELIZA A. McKEOWN NOBLE 
(Mrs. J. W.). 
1821-1888. 


at 7 o'clock (no late dinners in those days), the meeting adjourned. 


At the adjourned meeting on December 10th, 1874, the Sub- 
scription Committee reported that “one thousand ($1,000.00) 
dollars was subscribed, that a further sum of thirteen hundred 
($1,300.00) was almost certain, and that many neighbors had 
promised work and stones.” 


The next meeting was held at the same time and place less 
than a week later, “Tuesday, December 15th, 1874, when John 
Smith was appointed a committee of one to confer with the 
Ridley Park Association “with the view to securing a grant of 

37 


lots Nos. 651 and 652, located on the northwest corner of Ridley 
and Swarthmore Avenues (where the Church now stands) on 
which to erect a Church edifice; the grant to be conditional on 
the building being erected and under roof within one year from 
date of agreement.”’ 

Henry F. Kenney, then and for many years afterwards, 
Superintendent of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore 
Railroad, was appointed a Building Committee “with power to 


act and to add to the number if desirable.” 


Jesse W. Noble was elected Treasurer, John Smith, Secre- 
tary, and Major D. R. B. Nevin, Chairman. 

An adjourned meeting was held at the same time and place 
on December 23rd, at which progress was reported, and another 
on December 30th, 1874, when “John Smith reported that instead 
of lots 651 and 652, which he had applied for as directed at a 
previous meeting, the Ridley Park Association had granted lots 
638 and 639 (where T. Harry Griffin now lives) as a donation 
on condition that the plans should be submitted to Samuel M. 
Felton, President of the Association, for his approval, and that 
the Church shall be erected on them and under roof within one 
year from date of agreement.” 

‘The minutes do not disclose further negotiations, but it is 
evident that the Ridley Park Association reconsidered its decision, 
for we find, nearly a year later, that the original request (for 
lots No. 651 and No. 652) had been granted in the interim. 

On Monday, June 2!st, 1875, a Commission appointed by 
the Chester Presbytery met at Ridley Park at 3 P. M. and “after 
due consideration of the present and the prospects of the future” 
it was “Resolved, That a Presbyterian Church should be organized 
at Ridley Park under the name of the Ridley Park Presbyterian 
Church. The persons present binding themselves that services 
should be continued regularly twice every Sabbath for one year.” 

38 


On Thursday, July Ist, 1875, the first congregational meeting 
of the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church was held in the Ridley 
Park Academy. This was a room used as a day school conducted 
by Rev. John E. Alexander, a Presbyterian minister then a resi- 
dent, on the second floor of a building on the north side of 
Hinckley Avenue, between Swarthmore Avenue and the railroad 
station. Major Nevin presided and John Smith acted as Secre- 
tary. “It was unanimously resolved that the full Board of 
‘Trustees of the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church shall consist 
of seven members, but that at present it is inexpedient to elect 
more than three members, which number shall always constitute 
a quorum for the transaction of business. “he vacancies in the 
Board to be filled when considered necessary or expedient by the 
congregation.” 

The following were nominated: H. F. Kenney, Jesse W. 
Noble, Richard Young, Roderic Fraser, Richard Stewart. Messrs. 
Alexander and Holcomb were appointed tellers of election. 

The ballots having been counted the following persons were 
elected: H. F. Kenney, Richard Young, and Roderic Fraser, who 
thus constituted the first Board of Trustees. Jesse W. Noble 
was unanimously elected Treasurer and John Smith, Secretary. 

Mr. Holcomb, the Treasurer pro tem, reported basket col- 
lections as follows: 


Mayet Onmormincaandeevening aaa tan eee $1.51 
23 4 ze a TE RE Sta ee a 1.50 
30 os = Ck a, ere Aaa 9 ea CRIES, 1.89 
June’ >7 eee a. 2 Des SANA. TaN en 2 
13 os +, me Ns eae CEE, Cr gee mee 2.40 
20 < a eee Par he ea 2.58 


Expenditures as follows: 


Daniel Alexander for care of Church and lights 


Sim) UN Cano Utley tie Cote aed ye oe $3.00 
olleetionEbasketeaes Wee ee on ee 25 
SICDSLACC CLR Ree ott NR eM RE ee Toe 2 1.10 


“Mr. Holcomb then turned over the balance of $6.05, taking 
a receipt therefore from the Secretary in the absence of the newly- 
elected Treasurer.” 

Immediately after the morning service at the Ridley Park 
Academy on Sabbath, September 19th, 1875, a congregational 
meeting was held, with Major Nevin acting as Chairman, when 
‘it was unanimously resolved to invite the Rev. Dr. Grier of 
Philadelphia as pastor of the Church for one year at a salary of 
$400.00. It being understood that week day duty would not be 
expected from him except so much as his other business might 
permit.” (Dr. Grier was editor of the Presbyterian. ) 

The first baptism is recorded (and the only one in the min- 
utes) by the Secretary, John Smith, as follows: 

“On Sabbath, September 12th, 1875, at the forenoon service 
Andrew Parker, son of D. R. B. and Rebecca C. Nevin, of 
Ridley Park, born April, 1875, was baptized by the Rev. Dr. 
Grier of Philadelphia.” 

The present writer, remembering that A. Parker Nevin 
had told him at a banquet in New York, in 1924, that he had 
passed his fiftieth birthday in April of that year, noted the conflict 
with the birth year given in the foregoing baptismal record, and 
called Mr. Nevin’s attention to it. 

Naturally, Mr. Nevin is convinced that Secretary Smith 
was a painstakingly accurate man, notwithstanding the fact that 
the world has always celebrated his birth as April 6th, 1874, to 
which he so humorously referred in his delightful address at 
the Golden Anniversary celebration on May 16th, 1925. Mr. 
Nevin, however, is convinced that his mother knew and that the 
family Bible will settle the question. Meantime there is powerful 
circumstantial evidence that he is only fifty years old. 

On Thursday evening, December 4th, 1875, a congregational 
meeting, held in the Academy room, with Major Nevin in the 
chair, authorized the Building Committee to “go on with the 
building of a Church, according to the plan submitted by Mr. 

40 





GEORGE W. SHIRLEY 


MEMBER OF FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
ELECTED UNDER THE CHARTER. 


Kenney on Lots 651 and 652 which had been granted to the 
Church by the Ridley Park Association.” 


Eight and a half months later we find that the new Church 
was completed, for it is recorded that “on Saturday evening, 
August 19th, 1876, a congregational meeting was held in the 
Ridley Park Presbyterian Church (new Chapel)” at which was 
read the “draft of a charter to incorporate the Ridley Park Presby- 
terian Church in the County of Delaware, State of Pennsylvania’”’ 
and the Secretary was directed to have it presented to the Court of 
Common Pleas of the County for approval according to law. The 
charter was filed September 18th, 1876, and approved by Judge 
Thos. J. Clayton on November Ist, 1876. The legal services 

41 





JOHN A. CRAIG 
1851. 
A MEMBER AND SECRETARY OF THE FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES. HE WAS EMPLOYED IN 
THE PRINTING BUSINESS. 


MARY ARMSTRONG CRAIG 
See de A.). 
1 3 


Marriep Aucust 27, 1879. 


connected with this matter were donated by Hon. William Ward. 

On Saturday evening, September 9th, 1876, we find Dr. 
Grier presiding at a congregational meeting “Held in the newly- 
erected Chapel at Ridley Park to consider the financial condition 
previous to the dedication of the building on the 10th inst.’ and 
“on Sabbath September 10th, 1876, the Ridley Park Presbyterian 
Chapel was dedicated to Almighty God according to the Pres- 
byterian form of worship by the Rev. Dr. Grier, Pastor. The 
Rev. P. H. Mowry preached in the evening.”’ 

“The Chapel is erected on the northwest corner of Ridley 
and Swarthmore Avenues in Ridley Park on lots Nos. 651 and 

42 





RICHARD B. STEWART 


1844. 


A MEMBER OF THE FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES. HE LIVES IN THE BOROUGH NEAR CHESTER 
PIKE AND CONDUCTS A MEAT MARKET. 


MARTHA ANN WARD STEWART 
(Mrs. R. B.). 1846-1924. 


652, which were donated to the Church by the Ridley Park 
Association. The building is fifty by thirty feet, contains two 
rooms, eight by ten feet for minister’s and library rooms, and an 
audience room with twenty pews, each seating comfortably seven 
persons. ‘The interior is lighted by stained glass windows and 
the heating by a furnace in the cellar. “Che plans were furnished 
free of charge by Mr. A. W. Dilks, of Philadelphia, and the 
building operations were under the immediate supervision of 
Mr. H. F. Kenney, who was the Building Committee.” 

On October 20th, 1876, ‘“‘a meeting of friends and members 
of the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church was held to elect Trustees 

43 


under the charter and to take action on the financial condition and 
prospects of the corporation. Five Trustees were elected: Geo. 
W. Shirley, Major D. R. B. Nevin, Jesse W. Noble, John A. 
Craig, and Richard Stewart.” It was “Resolved that revenues 
be derived from renting of pews; prices and all related matters 
referred to the Trustees.” After adjournment the Trustees or- 
ganized by electing Major Nevin, President, John A. Craig, Sec- 
retary, and Jesse W. Noble, Treasurer. It was “Resolved, that 
each alternate pew be rented at such a price as each and every 
person may feel under Divine help able to pay; and that the 
remaining pews for the present be considered free to any who 
may worship in the Church.” 

A little later we find that “sheds were ordered erected on 
the (north) side of the Church for the accommodation of horses 
and carriages of persons attending services,’ which accordingly 
was done under the supervision of John Smith; Mr. Kenney 
furnished the lumber and Messrs. Stewart and Noble the hauling, 
all free of charge. “These sheds were removed in 1894. 

The property known as the Dutton House (now the prop- 
erty of Bassett Ferguson) was secured for the pastor, Rev. 
Dr. Grier, at a rental of $500.00 per year, from March Ist, 
1877, with a provision that Dr. Grier might continue as tenant 
in case he ceased to be pastor. It remained the “Presbyterian 
Manse” until the present Manse was built in 1882. 

The Trustees’ minutes indicate that some difficulty was ex- 
perienced in the early part of 1877 in raising funds to pay the 
indebtedness incurred in the building of the Church, and other 
obligations. It was finally decided to take fifteen shares in the 
Ridley Building Association and borrow on them, through which 
a mortgage of $3,000.00 was placed on the Church property. “The 
amount of cash received was $1,970.00 ($3,000.00 less the pret- 
erence premium of $1,030). “The dues and interest amounted to 
$24.85 per month which the Ladies’ Mite Society obligated itself 
to pay coupled with the declared aim “To present to the Church, 
at no distant day, the subscribed fifteen shares, paid up.” 

44 





THE DUTTON HOUSE 


“THe MANSE” WHEN Dr. GRIER WAS PASTOR; AT ONE TIME THE “Post OFFICE.”’ 
NOW THE RESIDENCE OF Mr. BasseTT FERGUSON. PHOTO 1925. 


It is interesting at this point to call attention to the meticu- 
lous care with which economy in small things was practiced and 
appreciated, for we find a resolution of thanks recorded for the 
successful efforts of the Treasurer (Jesse W. Noble) in ob- 
taining reductions of $1.00, $8.00, 81 cents, 40 cents, and $2.00, 
respectively, from five bills paid. An interesting record, too, 
under date of December llth, 1877, is a payment of $9.24, 
or $2.10 per ton, for 4.08 tons of anthracite coal for the Church 
heater. Also in 1886 there is a record of 12.10 tons for $32.11, 
though we rather suspect that these items did not include freight, 
for in 1885 one ton egg coal is recorded at $5.50. 

Another item worthy of special note is a minute of a meeting 
of the congregation on January 23rd, 1878, “‘to receive the first 
annual report of the Board of Trustees,’ wherein it is recorded 
that “Dr. Grier offered to assume one-half of the floating debt 

45 


and Messrs. Kenney, Nevin, W. J. Kelly and John Smith each 
assumed one-fifth of the remaining half, the other fifth would no 
doubt be raised.” : 

The report of the auditors dated February 7th, 1878, shows 
that the total cost of the Church building was $5,726.44, and 
that of this sum Dr. Grier raised $1,079.00; H. F. Kenney, 
$1,598.22, and from other individual subscriptions, $1,343.54, 
making a total of $4,020.76 in cash besides contributions of 
stone, brick, lumber, slate, grading, and ironwork. 

Among Dr. Grier’s contributors are found such notable names 
as Geo. W. Childs, John Wanamaker, Joseph and Morris Pat- 
terson, Gustavus S. Benson, and Justice Wm. A. Porter, of Phila- 
delphia. 


Among Mr. Kenney’s contributors were Jacob Tome, Sam- 


uel Harlan, J. W. Malone & Co., Hon. William Ward. 

Among other contributors outside our own members were 
John B. Hinkson, Col. Theo. Hyatt, William Worrall, Morton, 
Black & Co., The Darby Borough Presbyterian Church, etc. 

On May 28th, 1878, it is recorded that “‘A rustic fence was 
planned to surround the Church property. It was reported that 
the material was on the ground and the lowest bidder for its 
erection was Mr. Kimball, of Prospect Park ($50.00 for the 
work alone), to whom it was awarded; Richard Stewart agreeing 
to donate one-half the estimate.” 

Friday, December 6th, 1878, was set apart as a gala day 
for tree planting. A tracing exists, made by John Smith, drawn 
to a scale, whereon is recorded the name of each tree, by whom 
planted, and its location. The planting was on the original lots 
No. 651 and No. 652, before lots No. 653 and No. 654 were 
acquired, on which the Manse was built. “There were forty-four 
trees, of twenty-six varieties, planted by forty-one persons. Of 
these only seven trees remain; the (northern) elm on Swarth- 
more Avenue, planted by W. J. Kelly; the (southern) elm on 

46 

















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RIDLEY, PARK. PRUSDY ERAN CHURCH | 











SSWEACRS Tite MO RoE 

















Swarthmore Avenue, planted by Mrs. Henry F. Kenney; the 
maple (Swarthmore Avenue), planted by George Gogle; the 
beech (Swarthmore Avenue), planted by Dr. Grier, and the three 
horse chestnuts, between the Manse and the Church; the northern- 
most, planted by John Craig; the middle one, by R. B. Stewart, 
and the other by Mrs. Miller. Of those who planted trees on 
that day only four are living: R. B. Stewart, John L. Galloway 
(Mr. Galloway died after this was written), Miss E. I. Kenney 
and Miss Jennie Henderson. Needless to say, these ladies must 
have been quite juvenile, and it is a fair inference that what 
digging they did was by proxy. 

At an adjourned Congregational Meeting held January 29th, 
1879, By-Laws were formally adopted and ordered printed. 
(Note: These By-Laws were amended January 16th, 1895, and 
the charter was amended February 2nd, 1898.) 

At the Annual Meeting of the corporation, January 14th, 
1880, the First Budget was prepared; this excellent practice has 
been scrupulously continued to this day. “The Committee on 
Church Property and Pews reported that “I+ pews were rented 
by 24 persons yielding yearly an income of about $440.00, and as 
all the pews except three were engaged the need of increased 
accommodations was urged. It was recommended that this be 
effected by putting enclosed outside porches in communication 
with the aisles on either side and filling the space of the present 
vestibule with four new pews,” and soon afterwards the altera- 
tions were made. 

‘This was read, from the Pastor: 


Ridley Park, January 4, 1880. 
“To the congregation of the Ridley Park Presbyterian 
Church: It is my earnest wish that the debt still remaining upon 
the Chapel should be removed and I believe that an effort ear- 
nestly made by all will be successful. I therefore propose that 
if the members of the congregation will undertake the work I 
will aid them in the following way: For every hundred dollars 
48 


raised by the members of the congregation or given by them | 
will secure elsewhere one hundred dollars from personal friends 
and others—moneys to be paid to the Treasurer of the ‘Ladies’ 
Mite Society,’ and then to the Building Association. “The debt 
to be all paid by the Ist of July, 1880. With the blessings of 
God and the united effort of all. I believe the debt can be paid. 
Yours truly, M. B. Grier.” 

The Pastor’s proposal was accepted and a committee of three 
appointed, consisting of John L. Galloway, H. F. Kenney, and 
the Secretary, W. Curtiss Taylor, to carry it out. In addition, 
the ‘Trustees were authorized to apply to the Board of Church 
Erection at New York for a loan, if needed to raise the debt, 
and to give the necessary security. 

On June 23rd, 1880, Dr. Grier reported $500.00 receivable 
from the Board of Church Erection Society, and at the next 
annual congregational meeting, January 12th, 1881, with H. C. 
Keyes in the chair, we find the Trustees reporting that the funded 
indebtedness amounting to $1,721.40 had been removed. “Due 
under Providence to the Pastor’s gifts and influence, the Ladies’ 
Mite Society, the Church Erection Society, and to various mem- 
bers of the congregation and their friends.” 

“The unrequited services of our Pastor place our Church 
under a sense of obligation which we believe the congregation 


) 


share with ourselves.” ‘To make a beginning—though a small 
one—in the line of duty and expecting to be sustained by the 
congregation—a few individuals, on New Year’s Eve, took the 
responsibility of handing to the Rev. Dr. Grier the sum of 
$200.00. “This was done in. the name of the Church and was 


met with the warmest acknowledgments by the Pastor.” ‘The 
congregation sustained the ‘Trustees by vote and assumed the 
obligation of $200.00 for the Pastor’s salary. 
‘Trustees elected for three years were D. R. B. Nevin, and 
Theo. A. Wessels; for two years, H. F. Kenney, and J. L. Gal- 
49 





JOHN LESLIE GALLOWAY 


AN EARLY WORKER IN THE CHURCH. HE 
SUPERINTENDED THE ERECTION OF THE 
MANSE IN 1882. 


loway; for one year, John Harvey, H. C. Keyes, W. Curtiss 
Taylor. This being the first election under the new By-Laws. 

In March, 1881, a special meeting of Trustees was called 
to consider the building of a parsonage and in July a congre- 
gational meeting authorized the ‘Trustees to purchase lots for 
the parsonage. [his communication was read: “Ridley Park, 
July 21, 1881. At a meeting of the Mite Society of the Ridley 
Park Presbyterian Church held last evening the following reso- 
lution was unanimously passed: Resolved: that the Treasurer 
be and she is hereby authorized and directed to pay to the Board 
of ‘Trustees of this Church the price of lots No. 653 and No. 654 

50 





THE MANSE 


BUILT 1882. 


lying adjacent to the Church grounds (northeast corner Ridley 
Avenue and Harrison Street ).” 

The offer of the Mite Society was gratefully accepted by the 
congregation and authority given the Trustees to purchase the 
lots, which Mr. Kenney stated would cost $600.00. It was also 


Resolved: to erect a parsonage on lots No. 653 and No. 654 
and borrow on mortgage on said lots and building a sum not 


to exceed $5,000.00. 

The mortgage finally made was for $4,500.00, to Jacob 
Tome, at six per cent per annum. ‘The Manse” was completed 
in 1882 and on January 8th, 1883, the Building Committee, 

51 


consisting of John L. Galloway, H. F. Kenney, and John Harvey 
made its final report, giving the cost as $5,236.70. 


In August, 1882, the enlargement of the “Chapel” was dis- 
cussed. ‘This consisted of an addition to the rear of the Church 
building which became known as “The Children’s Room.” It 
was completed in the latter part of 1883 “at a cost of $1,615.23, 
exclusive of the painting.” 

Again we find this splendid testimonial to the Pastor: ‘The 
entire cost of this addition was provided by money and materials 
donated through our Pastor, Dr. Grier, who voluntarily raised 
this large sum through the kindness of his friends.”’ 


In 1887 $1,000.00 was paid on the mortgage debt and 
$500.00 in 1888, leaving a balance of $3,000.00. One of the 
Trustees then agreed to raise one-half of this balance if the con- 
gregation would raise the other half during the year 1889. Ap- 
parently nothing came of this and, on account of extraordinary 
repairs to the Church and Manse, only $200.00 was paid on 
the mortgage in that year and $500.00 later on. 


In 1896 the Church building was enlarged. ‘The total cost 
was $4,160.84, to provide for which $3,752.13 had been donated. 
The seating capacity was practically doubled by adding a low- 
ceilinged section to each side of the building. he old pews 
were left in their original position with aisles on each side 
separating them from the new side pews. ‘There was added, 
too, a square, steepled entrance tower on the southeast corner of 
the building. ‘This replaced the entrance in the center of the 
Swarthmore Avenue front of the original building, the path to 
which was about halfway between the two elms (still standing) 


planted in 1878. 
In 1898 a new mortgage for $4,000.00 at five and one-half 


per cent interest was placed on the Manse and the balance of 
the old mortgage ($2,300.00) paid off. The placing of the new 


‘ 


mortgage “required an amendment to the charter to conform 
52 








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dre “arvelope gia” of weesiv Gemimens voluntary piedeet 
at te Gesu of cacie veer ~Everviedy Gad Secome ferougtiv 
fscvais fers Gezaer= amt ae comrivanees Gapmiv passed om 
eS Wee ae oe 

The gew gio gescooiy Gecome = sees for we ood iat 
Temertet ofedees fer te peer PS of ater S00, an Gar 
es Gt cet Gestre co opfiess = Soins 

Deeme MOS = pipe aresar wae assailed at = ose af SG Wh 
Speci cqoencimatens wee omde or Ss guess smunome, 0 
SSS), wie’> growed for ail alte=acttens geedest terete aot 
te =e oimiaotiroms oie = eee at S000 coward 
te Claro area ant Ne Aorhees doeated = wate oer 
The msmilanem of Ge mee gee we Geet oo oo 
metal Gy Dr Ieee Geom oft Piet a Se Se a 
ioe Th, OS 

42 fe aoowel) meee, Jao FI ES we Gee hs 
extimsasce tesumemal op fe Doses: resert- “Tie freeze 


“> 


= 


report requires little comment. It is in itself the eloquence of 
concentrated fact. A record of success beyond any heretofore 
achieved in the temporal affairs of this Church. ‘The story of a 
system happily conceived and carried through to a successful con- 
clusion, and the harmonious working together of every depart- 
ment of the Church organization. 

“$3,230.00 voluntarily pledged and all pledges redeemed ex- 
cept less than two per cent of the whole, and this small percentage 
mainly because of removals and other good reasons.” 

“$1,955.00 paid in as special contributions for the splendid 
new pipe organ, the alterations incidental thereto, and the reno- 
vation of the Church interior.” 

“$392.53 from the Society of Christian Endeavor and $171.50 
from the Sewing Circle.” 

“Everything voluntary and nothing under pressure save from 
the inspiration to help enlarge the spiritual influence of a beloved 
pastor by increasing the physical attractiveness and temporal suc- 
cess of the Church.” 

“We stand upon the threshold of a new year without a 
dollar of floating debt; with a small cash balance to build on and 
with voluntary pledged contributions sufficient to pay all the regu- 
lar expenses and to insure a substantial payment during the year 
upon the mortgage indebtedness.”’ 

“Surely the members of this congregation may felicitate them- 
selves upon having had a part in making this Red Letter Year 
1903, and in writing Success over the portal of the year 1904.” 

In 1904 $500.00 was paid off on the mortgage, $500.00 
pledged by Mortgage Fund envelopes, and at the annual meet- 
ing in 1905, R. S. Pomeroy, President of the Board of Trustees, 
announced that, through the kindness of some good friends of the 
Church, he succeeded in raising the balance of $3,000.00 required 
to pay off the mortgage, and, a few months later, this was done. 
The legal work in connection with this was done by Frank R. 
Savidge, Esq., without charge. 

54 


In 1906 the $500.00 mortgage (without interest) held by the 
Board of Church Erection was paid off. “The amount was volun- 
tarily reduced to $385.00 “in consideration of the fact that during 
all the years the Church had made contributions to the Board from 
our missionary offerings.” 

The subject of building a new church was broached in Jan- 
uary, 1907, and the matter referred to a committee (Geo. C. 
Hetzel, Wm. G. Halkett, and Wm. K. Mitchell) to devise ways 
and means. 

A “Church Building Fund” was created and annual pledges 
secured, payable in weekly envelopes, similar to the method in use 
for the general expense fund. A year later $600.00 had been 
transferred to the Church Building Fund from the General Fund 
and two $5,000.00 subscriptions secured by Mr. Pomeroy an- 
nounced as a nucleus. 

In 1909 these two subscriptions of $5,000.00 each and another 
of the same amount had been paid in cash and the Building Fund 
stood at $15,630.00. ‘Then began an active and systematic cam- 
paign to raise the Fund to $30,000.00 by weekly pledged contri- 
butions. In 1910 the Fund had grown to $17,500.00. In 1911 to 
$19,500.00. In 1912 to $22,000.00. In 1913 to $24,047.05. In 
1914 to $25,443.05. 

In November, 1914, a Committee on Finance was appointed 
by the Trustees “to secure ample funds.”’ Wm. G. Halkett, Chair- 
man, Chas. E. Righter, Robert Rodgers, and F. J. LeMaistre, to 
which were added, later, Earl V. Deane, George C. Barber, 3d, 
and H. W. Avise. 

And then in the midst of all these activities, when the goal 
was in close view, came a sad blow, for on December 30th, 1914, 
our beloved President of the Board of Trustees, Richard S. Pome- 
roy, after a comparatively short illness, died. 

His heart was bound up in the work of building the new 
Church; he had done more than any other member to make it 


55 


possible; he had taken part in the laying of the cornerstone; he 
had watched it grow from day to day and week to week, but, like 
Moses and the promised land, he was not destined to see it finished, 
for, in His inscrutable Providence, ‘God took him,” in his own 
good time. 

Mr. Pomeroy was elected to the Board of Trustees on Decem- 
ber 12th, 1887; served as Secretary from January 22nd, 1890, to 
December 31st, 1894, and as President from February 4th, 1895, 
until his death; a total of over 27 years. 

The contract for building the Church had been awarded, 
after receiving competitive bids, to the Pomeroy Construction Co. 
(composed of John H. Pomeroy and E. Roberts Hall) at the price 
of $40,300.00, and it was estimated that the architects’ fees, the 
cost of pews, lighting fixtures, etc., would bring the total up to 
$45,000.00. 

The amount available on December 3lst, 1914, was 
$30,000.00, leaving about $15,000.00 to raise. At the signing of 
the building contract R. S. Pomeroy agreed to contribute $5,000.00, 
if the congregation would contribute the remaining $10,000.00, 
“in order that the Church might be dedicated free of debt.”’ 


‘The special Finance Committee, Wm. G. Halkett, Chair- 
man, then began an intensive campaign to raise this $10,000.00 
and an additional $2,500.00 to cover the cost of enlarging the pipe 
organ and to change its action from mechanical to electrical. It 
was finally accomplished, and at the annual congregational meet- 
ing held on February 2nd, 1916, the Trustees were able to report 
that the total cost of the buildings, architect’s commission, bap- 
tismal font and bowl, organ changes and all fixtures complete was 
$49,626.24; that the buildings had been dedicated on June Oth, 
1915, without a dollar of indebtedness against them, and that the 
only debt remaining was about $2,500.00 representing the balance 
of the cost of improving the organ. 

The buildings, described in detail on another page, reflect the 
refined taste and artistic skill of the architect, Thomas M. Kel- 

56 





RICHARD S. POMEROY, 


TRUSTEE. HE WAS GREATLY INTERESTED IN 

THE CHURCH, AND IN HIS LAST ILLNESS 

WATCHED THE BUILDING OF THE NEW STONE 

CHURCH FROM HIS BED, THROUGH A PAIR OF 
FIELD GLASSES. 


logg. His distinguished talents, his pride as a citizen of Ridley 
Park and as a member of the Board of Trustees, were all enlisted 
in the production of the beautiful structure of chaste simplicity 
which is a lasting monument to his ability, and a joy to the 
beholder. 

Shortly following Mr. Pomeroy’s death, John H. Pomeroy, 
his son and one of the executors, announced that the will of R. S. 
Pomeroy contained a bequest of $5,000.00 in trust, to keep the 


principal invested, and to use the income thereof for the expenses 


5A 


of the Church. By resolution of the Trustees this bequest was 
designated as the “Richard S$. Pomeroy Legacy.” 

The Chairman of the Board also announced the desire of the 
Pomeroy family to erect a suitable memorial window and that the 
triple chancel window be reserved for the purpose. 

A year following the death of Mr. Pomeroy came another sad 
event in the death of our dearly beloved pastor, Mr. Linton. It 
was his wish that gave the initiative to the building of the Church, 
it was his enthusiasm that fanned the spark into flame, and it was 
his encouragement that inspired the eight years of earnest and per- 
sistent effort in raising the required funds. 

But, again, though he lived to see it completed and to dedi- 
cate to Almighty God this (last) fair edifice as the saintly Dr. 
Grier, forty years earlier, had dedicated the first, it was left to 
others to “carry on.” 

The bronze memorial tablet, designed by Hollingsworth 
Pearce, erected on the north interior wall on the eastern side of 
the Church, bears this inscription :— 

“In reverent memory of Samuel Thomas Linton, Pastor of 
this Church from July 25th, 1901, until his death, January 10th, 
1916, this tablet is erected by a grateful congregation.”’ 

The flowering plants at each side of the Church entrance 
were planted by Edwin K. Nelson as a memorial to Mr. Linton. 

In preparing this historical sketch from the viewpoint of the 
‘Trustees many details have been included that may be of seeming 
unimportance, but they have been included deliberately in the 
belief, and hope, that they may prove interesting to the newcomers, 
and especially that they may be helpful and inspiring to the young 
people, who see only the splendid finished product, but have little 
conception of those early days and ways of simplicity and struggle. 

They may revive, too, among the older people, pleasant recol- 
lections or, perhaps, a romance of the long ago which sometimes 
requires but a perfume, or a word, or a suggestion, to be trans- 
muted into a magic moving picture of memory. 

58 


And here it may be said that the ancients of Ridley Park had 
one advantage denied the moderns; for, though they had to put 
up with oil lamps, their romances and their tempers were not 
ruined by mosquitoes. “Through a blessed law of compensation, 
nature withheld these pests for a later generation to battle with. 

Throughout its history the Church records bear eloquent tes- 
timony to the conspicuous part taken by the ladies in raising funds 
for Church expenses; sometimes in ways that entailed much labor 
and sacrifice. 

In the reports of the Trustees to the annual meetings of 
the congregation we find frequent grateful expressions of appre- 
ciation for the work of the Ladies’ Mite Society, the Church 
Society and the Sewing Circle. In fact, until the adoption of the 
“Weekly envelope system’? many budgets show specific sums, 
allotted by the ‘Trustees, to be raised by these organizations. 
Always those tasks were faithfully performed; often they were 
exceeded. 

The Church was fortunate in its sterling pioneer leaders. 
‘Temperamentally different, as is nature’s way, but all of them 
endowed with those excellences of which the best are made. 

There was Major Nevin, the first Chairman, with his merry 
twinkle: outward sign and mischievous herald of a delightful sense 
of perennial humor which, companioned with fine Christian grace 
and earnest, sincere purpose, made all things well. 

Henry F. Kenney, with broad wisdom; the precious gift of 
regulated reticence; an infinite capacity for getting things done; 
and a heart of gold. All enlisted from the beginning, through the 
long years, In unostentatious service to our Church. 

Rey. Dr. Grier, tall, stately, handsome, scholarly gentleman, 
with the merry laugh of an innocent boy. Sometimes, like the rest 
of us, he too would engage in a helpless search for a wayward and 
elusive collar button, and once, according to family tradition, he 
lost a stocking only to find, with the aid of his accomplished, 
patrician helpmeet, that he had put two on one foot. But these 

59 


things happened only upon those not infrequent occasions when 
he was dwelling in the fairyland of beautiful thoughts. ‘hat he 
had, as well, an intensely practical side is convincingly shown by 
the abundant testimony herein recorded. 

Henry C. Keyes, the survivor longest in service, possessor of 
the choice gifts of silver tongue and pen of gold; twin offspring 
of the poetic temperament wherein the classics dwell. These he 
has laid upon the altar of God’s house for nearly forty-five years; 
successively as Trustee, Treasurer, Elder, Choir Leader, Sunday 
School Superintendent, Clerk of Session, Bible Class Leader. 

These are they which came out of the great tribulation of 
the difficult years, and these are they which served day and night 
in the temple. 

As we worship in the lovely twilight of this Golden Anniver- 
sary time amidst all the beauty and conveniences they and their 
associates made possible by their humble beginnings, it is fitting 
that we should pay grateful tribute to their unselfish devotion and 
to their steadfast labors in the Master’s vineyard, lest we forget. 





A PEW FROM THE FIRST, OR 
FRAME, CHURCH 






60 


THE TRUSTEES 





Elenityel.s Wenney we ahor here July 1, 1875, to Oct. 20, 1876, and from 
Jan., 1878, to Sept. 28, 1891 

ROdenicks raster oe ilysdse13/5;- to. Oct. 2041876 
Richa cee) OUT Cr ote July 1, 1875, to Oct. 20, 1876 
(SCOMBVY PEODITICVear ee, Octe20 5137 Oat0ern Diilezonls7 7 
DeR a BaNeVin woe See Oct. 20, 1876, to June 29, 1885 
esses We NODIC.. ce aride aces Oct. 20, 1876, to Nov., 1876 
PohneAT Craiey ns anne Oct..20, 1876, to Jan., 1879 
Richards boscte warts ee a Oct20218/76stoulsst 

[Pee APS ee ee ee Nov., 1876, to Nov., 1877 
See leten ets BP NOVELS tOF Lb 19 

VW mismcurtiss: Laylote. <0 ane Jalsals29, tO Jans 18st 
iho sem( eli utcnison aes. ne 1879 to 1880 

Dolinwelre Galloway. Jan., 1880, to 1891 
SamueleAnderson s,s.) oe 1880 to 1881 

hee son eSsels aces am Jan., 1881, to June, 1882 
DRT aALV CV cree: cae 1881 to 1884 

Jah ats Me. DES ee Ne 1881 to Nov., 1892 

VV Vid COOCKeee ee er rae Jan. to Aug., 1881 

Eugene G. Woodward........ 1882 to Dec. 12, 1887 
Franka) 2 aviors 9. ee 1882 to 1889 ° 
eiGcorpen. Lietzely,. otaee Aug. 14, 1882, to 

anv DlLACK Yeas! 5s ao ee ek June, 1885, to Dec., 1887 
Brant) Bev oodrutte. he 45. Dec.,; 1887, to 1892 
Rrehardes.,hOmeroy ass se. 2 Dec. 12, 1887, to Dec. 30, 1914 
Pranks teat arrisolias). 2. 0:6 1889 to 1894 

Vite DOWER. Sh saat eue sd mnaie 1891 to 1895 

entre Lee lO alt aes eee Sept. 28, 1891, to 1895 


61 


Rranks Weelali pine ao lie eS a coe oS 























SW ms tis tla liege. ee eee eee Jan. 18, 1893, to 1917, and 1919 to ——— 
Dr. DiNie ViclvVLaste tse eee 1895 to April, 1904 
GeonsWieaAtherholt.an eee Jan16,.1395;stoeDec. 31. 1923 
TamMesohies Dene yes eee ae 1895 to 1910 

Wim Az sproull say) eee 1895 to 1898 

Roberts Mie WV codrulte +4... T3895 3ton 1907 

WV Sule Ch etrid per eae eee March, 1898, to Oct., 1902 
WiieG mtlalkettepese eerie LIVI0S) Gee aval 

PW mit Ke eVisten elt ee eee April 11, 1904, to 

cbhomas Via Ichoy ow a ee ADELA el SOs taeOCe Ly a1 OES 
PRIVAT yer til) eee ee 1911 to 

Ropert) ROGQer san eee ee 19 ietom 21 

Jon cle OMe LOY raw ee TOUS Stoel oly, 

Wimss Ca OCGtney yencu ener 197s to8l923 

Louise. BD. se DisbroWeesn ee oe eee 1917 to 1919 

*Frederick J. LeMaistre....... 1920 to 

Ticarl Ve cane neck weetr ye 1921 5to 

James A. MacMurchy........ 1921 to 1924 

*DraGeA SV Ernstseeuece. eee 192300 

Cee RusselieAtng Gee etree 1924 to April 8, 1925 

FATHER AV Lanse rae 1924 to 

Pe Lin PVC men te er ee May 8, 1925, to 


THE SECRETARIES 


Joho eomith eee eee DECraspnl 374-101 Cte 2 aL AG 
JobnwA= Orage. eee Oct. 20, 1876, to Jan. 8, 1879 
Wim Curtisssbavlora. et ee Jan. 8, 1879, to Jan. 20, 1881 
Theodore A. Wessels........ Jan. 20, 1881, to June, 1882 
Eugene G. Woodward........ June 26, 1882, to Aug. 27, 1883 


*Present incumbents. 
62 


Georrer Ce Hetzel. was eos: Aug. 27, 1883, to Jan. 22, 1890 





Richards tomer Ov. 6s: Jan. 22, 1890, to Jan. 16, 1895 
(Seo VVaee thernoltad eee see Jan. 16, 1895, to March 11, 1915 
Pelee Ube Veer TIN) poten oe ees March 11) 1915, to — 


THE TREASURERS 





HessemVVemNO DLC eae, se enn Dec. 15, 1874, to Aug. 2, 1881 

Theodore A. Wessels........ Aug. 2, 1881, until his death, June, 1882 

A GUDETLAT 16 Valeo er eee te 2 to oreViaye2? a1 s52 Upto rtem,),«ands)unesso, 
1882, to Jan. 9, 1884 

Henrys Caevyes. 2 pee ee Janz.97 1834;to Nov. 7; 1392 

Georges Gu etzelingae SEDtglowlo92 aLOr Ales 25935.epro.tem., 
and then to March 11, 1915 

Ge0ee Ve eAtNernOlt eee Marchall71915, to Dec. 31,1923 

CoeRnsseliatno demi eran ee Jan., 1924, to April 8, 1925 

igh et Ba EA la i 0) eo are May 8, 1925, to a 


THE PRESIDENTS 


Tenrya oe} enn ey see oe eee Chairman from July 1, 1875, to Oct. 20, 
1876, and President from Jan. 23, 1878, 
to Jan. 22, 1890 





Dig eR eNevin Ae eeu ae Oct. 20, 1876, to Jan. 23, 1878 

pCreorvesC -alictzelii ae: 2 eee Jan. 22, 1890, to June 25, 1894, and from 
Marchsit; 191:5,:to 

PALER EV Ol OaNn fe wens ee June 25, 1894, to Jan. 16, 1895 

Richararo. LOMeroy. ws 05 2a.) Feb. 4, 1895, to his death, Dec. 30, 1914 


*Present incumbents. 





BOARD OF TRUSTEES 


GEORGE C, HETZEL, PRESIDENT FrEDERIC J. LE MAISTRE 
WiiiiAm H. Hai CHARLES A. ERNST 
THomMAS H. GRIFFIN, SECRETARY WriiiaAM K. MircHELL 
ARTHUR W. WILLIAMS L. LeEsLre PyLr, TREASURER 


64 





SoG 


ONG 


THE RIDLEY PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 


RS. 


BE. 


RANE, ARCHITECTS., POMEROY CONSTRUCTION CoMPANY, CONTRACTORS AND BUILDE 


ETZEL, CHAIRMAN, WILLIAM H. HALL, WILLIAM K. MITCHELL, BUILDING COMMITT! 


SLLOGG AND C 


E 


KIN, 


(@, dee 


GEORGE 


BUILT 1914—RANI 


DESCRIPTION OF RIDLEY PARK 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BUILDINGS 


The buildings are located on the site of the old Church at the 
corner of Ridley and Swarthmore Avenues, and were designed 
by Thomas M. Kellogg, of Rankin, Kellogg & Crane, and built 
by the Pomeroy Construction Company, under the personal super- 
vision of John H. Pomeroy. The site measures about 256 feet on 
Ridley Avenue and 225 on Swarthmore Avenue. 

The plan is L shaped, one wing forming the Church, and the 
other the Sunday School—the wings being connected on the inte- 
rior angle by a tower. he front end of the Church and the side 
of the Sunday School face towards Ridley Avenue and the two 
main entrances are from this street. 


The style of architecture is early English Gothic, the exte- 
rior being of local stone laid in horizontal random range with 
limestone trimmings, and the roof of variegated green and purple 
slate. 

(The architect and the Building Committee, consisting of 
George C. Hetzel, Chairman, Wm. K. Mitchell and Wm. H. 
Hall, spent much time and made numerous trips in search of 
building stone such as Mr. Kellogg had in his mind’s eye, only 
to find it, finally, right at home in the Hanna quarry, located at 
the end of the Chester Pike at Ridley Creek; an illustration, in 
stone, of the truth of the Biblical axiom that ‘“‘a prophet is not 
without honor save in his own country.” ) 


The tower is 20 feet square and 62 feet high, the corners 
being treated with heavy buttresses. 

The Church is of the clerestory type with nave and side 
aisles, the nave being 26 feet wide and 38 feet high, and the side 
aisles four feet clear width and 12 feet in height. The length of 
the nave is 661% feet, the clerestory being supported by six arches 
on each side. 

66 





THE AUDITORIUM 


OF THE RmLEY PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ERECTED IN 1914. 


The chancel contains the pulpit platform and choir gallery, 
the dimensions being 16 feet in depth and 24 feet in width, and is 
separated from the nave of the Church by an arch 21 feet wide 
and 28 feet high. Both the chancel arch and the twelve nave 
arches are of limestone, the body of the interior being finished 
in sand-floated plaster, with paneled wood wainscot four feet 
high. The roof of the nave is supported on massive open timbered 
trusses with a carved limestone corbel at the heel of each truss. 
The windows in the clerestory are grouped in pairs, and at both 
the nave and chancel ends is a group of three windows, each 2% 
feet wide, and the center one, 12 feet high. The group at the 
chancel end is dedicated as a memorial to the late Richard 5S. 

67 


Pomeroy, and consists of richly-colored English antique painted 
glass and is an exact replica of one in a famous English Cathedral. 


(A resolution adopted by the Trustees in March, 1916, in the 
absence of the President, “Resolved, That the triple window 
occupying the front of the Church edifice be and is hereby reserved 
for a memorial to be erected to the memory of the present Presi- 
dent of the Board.” The recurring thought of this anticipatory 
resolution was not as comforting as it was complimentary, for it 
was a somewhat disturbing reminder that all things are ephem- 
eral. Besides, the bachelor President was not over-sanguine 
about his posterity, so it was resolved in 1922 to take time by 
the forelock ; hence the D’Ascenzo triptych in the opposite (front) 
end of the Church, installed in July, 1923.) 

The organ is located in the tower at one side of the chancel 
and directly adjoins the choir gallery. Under the organ is the 
Session’s room, connecting through a passageway with the pulpit 
platform. 


The Sunday School connects with the Church through the 
tower, the whole wing being 40 feet wide and 72 feet long. The 
auditorium proper is 24 feet wide and 36 feet long, with nine 
class rooms opening directly from it, and so arranged that the 
entire space can be thrown together, forming one large room. 
The rear end is octagonal in form, the class rooms radiating from 
the various divisions. The Infant and Primary Departments are 
at the front, each with direct separate connection with entrance 
hall. he Infant Department is divided into three rooms, one 
large class room being 16 feet wide and 23 feet long, with two 
smaller class rooms directly adjoining, and so arranged that the 
three rooms can be thrown into one. The Primary Department 
consists of one class room, 10% feet wide and 13 feet long, and 
both the Infant and Primary Departments are provided with indi- 
vidual coat rooms. 

In the entrance hall of the Sunday School is a staircase 
leading to the second floor, in which are located a large social 

68 


room 23 feet wide and 27 feet long, and a kitchen with a floor 
area of 210 square feet. A dumb waiter is provided, connecting 
the kitchen on the second floor, with the large infant room below, 
which thus becomes a serving room to the Sunday School auditor- 
ium in times of large social functions. 

There are three toilet rooms provided, two on the first floor, 
so located as to be convenient to both Church and Sunday School, 
and one on the second floor (not yet installed) in connection with 
the social room and kitchen. Z 

Both buildings are heated by direct steam, the plant being 
located in the basement of the Church, the temperature of the 
Church auditorium being controlled by thermostatic regulators. 

There is also provided a complete system of electric lighting 
throughout. 

(Note: After the Richard S$. Pomeroy Memorial Window 
was installed, the Trustees thought it wise to resolve that all 
future stained-glass windows shall be of the same general char- 
acter-——the York cathedral type—in order to achieve a harmoni- 


Ri “GNHEE 


ous whole. ) 


69 





GEORGE C. HETZEL 


AN EARLY AND FAITHFUL WORKER IN THE 
CHURCH, MEMBER AND DIRECTOR OF THE CHOIR, 
A TRUSTEE AND NOW PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD 


Here is a conundrum which has been slumbering in the 
caverns of memory for nearly forty years. It was propounded 
by Mrs. Maria Cuyler Grier, cultured wife of Rev. Dr. Grier, 
and it is not quite so simple as it looks: 

“One hundred and one by fifty divide and then if a cipher 
be rightly applied the answer is one from nine.” 


GEorRGE C. HETZEL. 


70 





HENRY F. KENNEY 


GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF PHILADELPHIA, WILMINGTON AND BALTIMORE RAILROAD 
CoMPANY. A MEMBER, TRUSTEE, PRESIDENT AND GREAT FRIEND OF THE EARLY RIDLEY 
PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 


MRS. H. F. KENNEY 


SINCERELY INTERESTED IN THE CHURCH AND A TEACHER IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 


HENRY FLETCHER KENNEY 


F IT be true that the honored Reverend Matthew B. 

Grier, D.D., was the founder of the Ridley Park Pres- 
byterian Church, it is a parallel truth that Henry 

Fletcher Kenney was a leading factor and promoter of 

the first house of worship. “Phat does not mean that 
there were no other outstanding workers to that end, but it is his 
prominence that we are acknowledging. 


71 


As one of the earliest settlers in the Land Association’s terri- 
tory, he brought from his New England birth, growth and training, 
the characteristics that were needed for the helpful task and 
located on an attractive slope where Trainer Street leaves Ridley 
Avenue. He built for permanence, important here only as fit 
symbol of the man’s decision and endurance. From this “place 


eaecenten 





THE RESIDENCE OF MR. HENRY F. KENNEY 


ON TRAINER STREET, GREATLY ADMIRED FOR THE SHADE TREES. ITS BROAD PIAZZAS 
EXTENDED A WELCOME ONE WAS SURE TO MEET IN THIS HOME. 


where two ways meet” he watched the trains and more distant 
ships go by and, unconsciously, it may be, thus linked the present 
with the future—the nearest duty and the farthest good. 

As chief official, under the executive, of the railroad company, 
he had passively permitted the temporary use of the station build- 
ing for the initial purposes of those looking to a church organiza- 
tion. As the project advanced he assumed an active voice and 
became a leader. He loaned an architect to plan and supervise 
the erection of a chapel and there was none more gratified than 

72 


he when the day of dedication came. His extensive acquaintance 
with patrons in Delaware and Maryland enabled him to procure 
contributions of building materials at little or no cost. Huis 
liberality was even extended to individuals, an indirect tribute to 
the growth of the church that was to be. He not only gave 
generously for construction and maintenance but induced others 
beyond the local circle to add their gifts. While he lived, his name 
was not absent from the list of offerings for maintenance and 
benevolence. And he was proud of the achievement; his very 
name became associated with the church to which he was de- 
votedly attached. 


A man of deeds rather than words, he was strong, and like 
strong men was sensitive, not quick to take offense, but hurt when 
his trust seemed betrayed. He suffered, but did not suffer long; 
a fault confessed was a fault redressed. He was deliberate to 
safeguard justice and, never on the fence, he diligently sought for 
weak posts and for knotty rails on both sides of it. When his 
mind had weighed his heart decided. A quiet humor pervaded 
his serious thoughts, as when he defended Sunday trains, lest 
some churchgoers be incommoded, and contributed materials for a 
horse shed that other some, including himself, might not through 
inconvenience suffer the disappointment of absence from worship. 
But if he voiced this it was pleasantry rather than criticism. 


Mr. Kenney and his beloved wife lived Christian lives and 
their works do follow them. We do not know what wave lengths 
of faith and prayer the divine Listener intercepted, but they were 
not in vain; and when shadows deepened in life’s twilight, their 
confession of Christ was broadcast like a song and entered in the 
Book that is out of sight. They had paid the debt which every 
Christian life owes to its Source. 


He died January tenth, 1908, but the preacher said, “He 
lives.” It is not in the city of the dead that he is remembered, but 
in the hearts of those who knew him, understood his generous 
nature and thought him a man’s man. 


ie. 


Mary Frances Kenney, his wife, whom he outlived, had a 
large share in the work of the church. She had inherited service 
and expedients. Deeply interested in development, she was 
checked by physical infirmity; nevertheless, she instituted a Mite 
Society as an agency for defraying church expenses, later expanded 
into a Sewing Circle, the foundation of the thriving organization of 
today with its enlarged scope. But it was in general benevolence 
that she excelled. Not only officially, but personally she ministered 
and earned many a poor one’s blessing. Her creed began with 
‘“Tnasmuch” when suffering and life ended her reward must have 


had a like beginning. 


EDNESDAY, Deceniber twenty-nine, 
Whate’er the weather, foul or fine, 
To sup with you, (if you incline,) 


From six to eight, is our design, 


At Ridley Park Hotel. You know 
The place—or any one will show 
You how to find the way—and so 
We beg you will not tell us no. 


This saucer and its queer contents 

We send you with our compliments ; 
Come drink our tea, if nought prevents, 
(The cup to match is fifty cents.) 


Things quaint and rare we’ll show you there; 


Tableaux vivants; boquets to wear; 
And, while you share our homely fare, 
We'll give you ‘‘ music in the air."” 


Then, one of us you'll surely be, 
We want you in our Company ; 
To entertain you we agree. 

When this you see, remember— 7+a. 





Dj = = 
MISSION Fo FOR SALE py © 


INVITATIONS AND TICKETS OF ADMISSION 


TO A SOCIAL, GIVEN BY Mrs. H. F. KENNEY IN THE RIDLEY PARK HOTEL TO RAISE MONEY 
FOR THE CHURCH. Mr. H. C. KEYES COMPOSED THE VERSES. 


They had two children. Their son, Charles Henry, was 
the hope of his father and the pride of his mother, exceedingly 
attractive in person and character, thoughtful, self-contained 

74 


and lovable. At the threshold of young manhood, the angel of 
Silent Purpose beckoned and they two went on together to ford the 
stream which the living may not cross. If the father had been 
a weak man he might have refrained from tears through pride 
but grief, like his other qualities, was not weak and would have 
its way. ‘Lhe strong man wept, the mother suffered. 

The daughter, Ellen Ide, survives. Closely associated with 
church members, she made a profession of her faith in Christ at 
an early age and became identified with the Sabbath School, 
Church and Choir. Her legacy of helpfulness, where it has been 
due, has not been forgotten. Left alone save for a faithful rela- 
tive, having none of her own to live for, she has largely lived 
tor others. 

At home and abroad “Welfare” is written over against her 
name, but ““Well Done’”’ is spoken aloud. 

May she long abide and not only be a blessing but find one. 


Henry C. KEYEs. 





FRANCES D. KEYES 


FOR MANY YEARS THE FAITHFUL 

ORGANIST IN THE CHURCH, WHOSE 

SWEET AND SYMPATHETIC MUSIC 

ADDED MUCH TO THE SPIRIT OF 
WORSHIP. 


15 





THE CHURCH CHOIR 


Part HreppeEL, TENOR AND CHOIR DIRECTOR WarRREN G. RANDALL, BASS 
CHARLOTTE LOEBEN, SOPRANO HELEN RHOADS WARWICK, CONTRALTO 
Miss ALICE ALEXANDER, ORGANIST 


76 


THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 


“Should old acquaintance be forgot’? was answered with an 
enthusiastic No! by the two hundred guests and residents who 
gathered at the Church to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the 
establishment of the Sunday School and Church. The following 
program had been prepared and was followed during the exercises: 


SORA YmWA YolL6TH. 1925 
4.00 to 6.00 P.M. Reunion and registration 
In the Church Auditorium 
6.00 P.M. Dinner 
In the Sunday School Room 
8.00 P.M. Address by A. Parker Nevin, Esq. 
In the Church Auditorium 


SUNDAY eMAXeIl71TH, 1925 


9.45 A.M. Unveiling of Tablet and Address in Sunday School 
Auditorium. 

11.00 A.M. Sermon by FREDERICK WILLIAM LOETSCHER, Ph.D., 
D.D., Archibald Alexander Professor of Church 
History, Princeton ‘Theological Seminary. 

7.45 P.M. Young People’s Meeting. Address by WILLIAM 
CHALMERS CoveRT, D.D., LL.D., General Sec- 
retary of the Board of Christian Education. 


By middle afternoon interested members and friends began to 
arrive and were welcomed by the Reception Committee: 

Rev. and Mrs. Schweitzer, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ather- 
holt, Mr. and Mrs. Boston, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Disbrow, Mrs. 
John H. Devine, Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. 
C. E. Righter, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rodgers. 

‘The day was all that could be wished, bright sunshine, pleas- 
ant but not too hot—a gentle breeze and refreshing air—the trees 

vis 





were dressed in their brightest green, and everywhere was an 
abundance of early flowers—surely the borough was inviting and 
the Church extended its heartiest welcome. “hen came expres- 
sions of happy surprise and old-time greetings as long-ago friends 
met and again called the names of school days. ‘There were intro- 
ductions of daughters and sons. Many ladies had changed their 
names and many were the inquiries for those who could not attend. 
The “Park” had changed so much, many new buildings, trees so 
much larger, but the substantial old buildings were there and a 
delight to those who had not seen them for so many years. Individ- 
uals and little groups wandered about the streets to see some loved 
spot, and automobiles carried companies to see the borough, always 
an expression of delight, but yet a little tinge of sadness when 
memory carried the older ones back to a former residence here. A 
pleasant hour ended, and Mr. Schweitzer, the pastor, announced 
the call to dinner. 

All were ushered into the Sunday School room, which had 
been beautifully decorated with flowers and filled with small tables. 
About one hundred and twenty-five (125) sat down at the first 
table. 

‘The ladies of the Sewing Circle prepared and served the din- 
ner, under the direction of Mrs. A. W. Williams, President. The 
following ladies served as aides in the kitchen and serving room: 
Mrs. Johanna J. Heineman, Mrs. Bond, Mrs. Dell, Mrs. De- 
rousse, Mrs. Eby, Mrs. Goodell, Mrs. Henderer, Mrs. Reed, 
Mrs. Stiles, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Williams. 

In the dining room Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anna M. Hetzel, 
Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Amsler, Miss Atherholt, Mrs. Dell, Mrs. 
Ferris, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Hecht, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Palmer, 
Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Sturm, Mrs. Walker. 


‘The menu was as follows: 


Stewed Chicken Potatoes with Parsley 
Fresh Peas Cold Slaw Rolls and Coffee 
Ice Cream and Home-made Cake 
78 


A most delicious dinner nicely served, as is always provided 
by the ladies. 

One hundred and sixty-five meals were served. 

Naturally reminiscence formed a large part of the conver- 
sation. 

At 8.00 P. M., A. Parker Nevin delivered the address of the 
evening. He is the son of Major D. R. B. Nevin, the President 
of the first Board of Trustees and the third Superintendent of the 
Sunday School. His acquaintance with the early Church and its 
members, and his description of his study of the catechism on Sun- 
day afternoons, while grown men were playing chess on a neigh- 
bor’s porch, was much appreciated by both old and young. ‘The 
address was a rare treat, not only to those who had known him in 
past years, but also to the newer members and the strangers who 
happened to be with us. 

The Sunday School celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, which 
occurred on January 4th, 1925, at 9.45 A. M., Sunday morning, 
with the following program: 


PROGRAM 


May 17, 1925 


FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY SCHOOL EXERCISES 
Singing: ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus” 
No. 196 in Hymnal Alleluia 
Neb Rok goa pen BAe beter Msg» Pelle gl ee eee Ee a ae Mr. Keyes 
SCriplULew@ RCA CIN Pemeweeee eae ae ae a ee ee Mr. Righter 
Responsive Reading No. 1 in Hymnal 
Psalms Nos. 100 and 122 


Quartette: 
William Hg ishe ries eee 6 eae eee ae ten i ae cn Tenor 
Lilliana Westexrmanagsenn eee eerie eon eee Soprano 
Dorothy.) ellzgpe ee ee ae een ee ee ae oc ong Alto 
RoberteG =". hom pson :. 3: eee aa Bass 
BSR Sire eee areas sete ied ne once es Accompanist 


Fiftieth Anniversary Remarks and Statistics by Mr. W. H. 
Stanton, followed by Introduction of ex-Superintendents and 
First Scholars. 


tk 


INHAONALNTAYAdNS INGASAaAd AHL 
aqaqay “VY AdAYVH AYNAH “YG TAOWNVS SYdodoOYy LAadOe YALHOTY “HY SaTuVvH,) 


AUVSAAAINNV HLYILdId AHL GHAGNULLVY OHM 


TIOOHOS AVGNAS FHL FO SLNAGNALNIWAd AS 


NOLSOg ‘{ WVITIIA\ 


TAZLIAM GAO “WY 


SHAGY “) AUNAPT 





Unveiling of Tablet by Howard E. Henderson. 

Lawrence Berlet on step-ladder read Inscription on Tablet. 
Address to Sunday School by Rev. Schweitzer. 

Singing: “Of Jesus’ Love That Sought Me,’ Hymnal No. 292. 
Closed by all joining in the Lord’s Prayer. 


The room was well filled by the school and its friends. Of 
the twelve men who served as Superintendents, four have deceased. 
William H. Allen regretted he could not meet with us. Seven 
men were seated on the platform and responded as their names 
were called. We were very happy to have three of the scholars 





FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLARS 


AND OTHERS. 
Howarp E. HENDERSON ERNEST B. HENDERSON (FIRST SCHOLAR) RayMoNnpD L. HENDERSON 


Mary HENDERSON (FIRST SCHOLAR) JANE McCormick HENDERSON (FIRST SCHOLAR) 
Mrs. Ernest B. HENDERSON 


who attended the first session of the Sunday School when it was 

formed: Mary, Ernest and Jennie Henderson, children of the first 

Superintendent, Robert D. Henderson, who established the Sun- 
81 


day School. Also there was present a grandson, Mr. Hubert T. 
Henderson, son of Ernest B. ‘These persons had a place of honor 
on the platform. 

A memorial bronze tablet, 18 by 24 inches, had been placed 
on the front wall of the room commemorating the establishment 
of the school. Mr. Herbert I. Henderson was then asked to 
unveil the tablet in memory of his grandfather, and a primary 
scholar, Lawrence W. Berlet, climbed a step-ladder and read: 











THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TABLET 
82 


“TIN MEMORY OF ROBERT D. HENDERSON, WHO ESTAB- 
LISHED THIS SUNDAY SCHOOL JANUARY 3RD, 1875, AND 
OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS WHO HAVE SERVED IT DUR- 


ING FIFTY YEARS,” 


and stated: ‘“Mr. Keyes was Superintendent twenty-one years, and 


Mr. Boston has not quit yet.” 

Mr. Schweitzer delivered the address of the morning, begin- 
ning his remarks by calling attention to the amount of faithful 
work which must have been involved in the maintenance of the 
Sunday School through a half century. Most of these workers 
have passed to their reward, even the names of most of them 
being unfamiliar to the present generation, yet they live on in the 
character of the men and women of today who came under their 
influence as children. 

What a privilege it is to have a Sunday School in which for 
no reward to themselves, men and women give of their time and 
strength to instruct other people’s children in the vital truths of 
faith and life. He congratulated the children on having parents 
who had the sense to see that their children shared these ad- 
vantages. 

‘There are great sections of the country where there are no 
Sunday Schools. Our denomination is appealing for our help in 
the effort to have a School within the reach of every American 
child. 

Even more tragic is the fact that great throngs who could 
attend Sunday School do not do so either through their own folly 
or the indifference and laziness of their parents. While there are 
fourteen millions of Protestant children enrolled in the Sunday 
Schools of America, twenty-eight millions of nominally Protestant 
children receive no regular religious instruction. “Iwo out of 
three never darken a Sunday School door. If “spiritual illiteracy 
spells moral bankruptcy” this is one of the greatest problems in 
our country today. 


Mr. Schweitzer assured the school that it occupied the first 
place in the heart and mind of our Church. 

After the close of the school, pictures were taken of the Super- 
intendents and first scholars groups. 

Regular Church services were held at 11.00 A. M. Dr. Fred- 
erick William Loetscher, Ph.D., D.D., Archibald Alexander Pro- 
fessor of Church History, Princeton Theological Seminary, 
delivered the sermon. 





DR. FREDERICK WILLIAM LOETSCHER, Ph.D., D.D. 


The text was: Mark 7:24, “And He (Christ) could not be hid.” 
Also Matt. 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a 
hill cannot be hid.” 

From this double text Dr. Loetscher took as his theme, “Christ and 
His Church Inconcealable.” After referring to the fact that what Jesus 
here says of His followers is true in a unique sense of Himself—“I am 


84 


the light of the world’—the speaker elaborated the threefold proposition 
that Christ and His Church shine with the light of truth, with the light of 
love, and with the light of holiness. Throughout this sermon he empha- 
sized the self-manifesting power of the Gospel, of the sacrificial service 
to which evangelical faith always leads, and of the moral excellence, 
finding its height in Christ-likeness, which is the consummate expression 
of the spiritual life. He closed with an appeal to maintain the noble 
heritage of the Church and to confirm and enrich, by renewed allegiance 
to Christ, that life which flowing from Him becomes through His Dis- 
ciples “the light of the world.” 





DR. WILLIAM CHALMERS 
COVERT 


The evening service was arranged for the young people of the 
Church and the sermon was by Dr. William Chalmers Covert, 
D.D., LL.D., General Secretary of the Board of Christian 


Education. 
$5 


Many were the expressions of enjoyment in attending the 
exercises and of a hope that many might attend the 100th anni- 
versary, and that our Church might grow not only in size, but that 
it might also grow in usefulness—in service to the community, 
changing in method and practice to suit the times and doing all in 
the service of the Master and to the glory of God. 

All during the celebration there was a register open to all 
those who attended and 367 names were recorded. It is hoped 
that this book will be preserved for succeeding celebrations and 
that many of our younger people may have the pleasure of looking 
over this old “register,” finding their names, and record again 
in the spaces following their names their attendance at future cele- 
brations, and we may be sure their descendants would greatly 
enjoy seeing the names of relatives, parents, grandparents, and 
possibly great-grandparents, recorded in this book. In the mean- 
time there will doubtless be many changes in the methods of work, 
yet we may depend upon it that God’s care and mercy will not fail, 
but that He will preserve His own to the perfect day. 


WILLIAM HENRY STANTON. 


THE FIRST MARRIAGE 


The first recorded church wedding in the chapel we have 
been able to find was that of 
Wo. C. BorGarD AND 
ANNIE E. Casey, 
OcToBER 21, 1883. 
86 





WILLIAM CLARK McKNIGHT 


Tuer CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY WAS ORGAN- 
IZED BY HIM, DECEMBER, 2, 1892. 


IN FULL TIME SERVICE 


In preparing this history in commemoration of the Golden 
Anniversary of our Church, it seems but fitting that due recog- 
nition be given those of our number who have worshiped with 
us in years gone by and who are still in the service of the Master, 
devoting their entire time in His service. 

In the year 1887 James A. McKnight and family connected 
themselves with our Church as active Christian workers, recogni- 
tion of their services in the work being noted elsewhere in this 
record. Their son, William Clark McKnight, then very young 
and being imbued with the Spirit of the Master, through training 
by his parents, decided to enter college to prepare himself for active 
work in preaching the gospel of Christ. 


87 


He entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1889, and after 
four years of hard and persistent work he graduated with honors 
and entered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he studied 
with untiring zeal, and with the one thought uppermost in his 
mind, the labor of love for Christ, he graduated in the year 1896, 
was subsequently ordained and called very shortly thereafter to 
the pastorate of the McCandless Avenue Presbyterian Church, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his labors were untiring, and 
through his ministry and teaching many souls were brought to 
know and accept the Lord Jesus Christ. 


Having felt that he had fulfilled his mission in this field, he 
accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Greenport, 
Long Island, where his activities were renewed and his efforts 
redoubled in the work of the Master. Still unsatisfied with the 
results of his efforts here, he again heeded the call to advance, and 
he accepted an invitation to take up the work in the Eastminster 
Presbyterian Church of Detroit, Michigan. He is still the Pastor 
of this latter Church, and though, like the rest of us, he is not as 
young as he was thirty years ago, yet he is still full of vigor and 
on the firing line for Christ. 


This short sketch of Will McKnight, as we of the earlier 
days knew him, does not adequately do him justice, but it is merely 
mentioned to remind those of our people who have joined our 
ranks in more recent years that the Ridley Park Presbyterian Sun- 
day School turned out at least one boy whom we love and are 
proud of and who has made good. 


Jessie Rodgers Fletcher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert 
Rodgers, after a period of training in the ‘Training School of the 
New York City Mission, served a year as pastor’s assistant in 
Amsterdam, N. Y.; she then returned to New York City, where 
she spent several years in City Mission work. Following this, she 
was called to be Extension Secretary in the Philadelphia Y. W. 
C. A. Following this, she was sent to Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to 
revive the Y. W. C. A. of that town, which had been without a 
Secretary for some time. Miss Rodgers remained in Pottstown as 
General Secretary of that Association for a year, and was then 
called to be Extension Secretary of the Germantown Y. W. C. A., 


88 





JESSIE RODGERS 
FLETCHER 
(Mrs. Dr. A. G.). 


to take charge of the extension 
work in the mills in that vicinity. 

While engaged in this work, 
Miss Rodgers took a group of 
girls to Silver Bay for the Y. W. 
C. A. conference, and there made 
her decision to go to the foreign 
field. Miss Rodgers volunteered 
in the autumn of 1911 and was 
appointed by the Presbyterian 
Board of Foreign Missions to the 
Korean Mission, leaving Ridley 
Park eon Aosta Sten ahy | 2tor 
her new field service. 

The first year in Korea was 
spent in Pyeng Yang in language 


study, the second and third years in Andong in evangelistic and 
teaching work, and in June, 1915, she married Dr. Archibald 
Gray Fletcher, who was then in charge of the Presbyterian Hos- 


pital at Taiku, Korea. 


In April, 1918, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher returned to America 
on furlough with their two children, Elsie Isabelle and Archibald 


Gray, Jr. During their stay in 
America their third child, Donald, 


was born. 


Owing to illness, they were un- 
able to return to Korea until Octo- 
ber, 1920, when Dr. 
resumed direction of the Hospital 
and Leprosarium at Taiku, Korea, 
where they are still serving. 


Elsie Glendenning 


Fletcher 


Rogers, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rob- 
ert Rodgers, began service with 
many years of local Church work. 





In 1921 she became Secretary to ELSIE GLENDENNING 
the minister of Northminster Pres- RODGERS 


89 


byterian Church, Philadelphia, and in the autumn of the same 
year went to the School of Religious Education of Boston Univer- 
sity for some special work in Religious Education, to supplement 
that already taken at Temple University some years previous. 


The following year Miss Rodgers was called to be Director 
of Religious Education in the First Presbyterian Church of Scran- 
ton, Pennsylvania. wo years of service in that Church and in 
various community enterprises in Religious Education were fol- 
lowed by a call from the Pennsylvania State Sabbath School Asso- 
ciation to be the Superintendent of the Children’s Division of that 
Association, and on October Ist, 1924, Miss Rodgers began work 
in this field and is still serving in that capacity. 


This is the roster of those of our Church family whose lives 
have been dedicated to the work of saving souls for Christ; the 
list is not lengthy, but it is important, insomuch as these few are 
still enthusiastic and active in the work and producing results that 
are well merited, and so it may be said of them: 


“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 


In concluding these few paragraphs it is justly proper that 
attention be directed to those of our people who by reason of neces- 
sity or otherwise were obliged to remain at home to direct the 
work and keep alive the interest in our Church. 


These have served well and faithfully, some 20 to 30 years, 
some 30 to 40 years, aye, and some well above the latter span of 
years, either in the Sunday School, or as Elders, or as Trustees, or 


on other Boards of the Church. 

The writer by reason of modesty has decided to mention no 
names in this connection, as he cherishes the same sentiment as our 
famous Admiral, who, after the battle of Santiago during the 
Spanish-American war, said in his report to the War Depart- 


ment: “There is glory enough for all.” 


GEoRGE W. ATHERHOLT. 


90 





ROBERT D. HENDERSON 


FIRST PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 
LIVED AT THAT TIME AT CHESTER PIKE AND McCormick STREET. 
MATTHEW HENDERSON AND SARAH ERVIN HIS WIFE. 
WAS BURIED IN PROSPECT PARK CEMETERY. 


HE WAS A FARMER AND 
HE WAS THE SON OF 
WAS BORN 1821, DIED 1882, AND 


MARY McCORMICK HENDERSON 


DAUGHTER OF JAMES McCorMICK AND HIS WIFE JANE TORRENCE McCorMIcK, WAS 
BORN 1828, DIED 1880, AND WAS BURIED IN THE SAME CEMETERY AS HER HUSBAND. 


91 


THE SUNDAY SCHOOL 


A paper read in the Sunday School January 25, 1925, at exercises celebrating the 
Fiftieth Anniversary, which occurred on January 4, 1925 


UPPOSE we Presbyterian girls and boys had no Sunday 
School—no place to go at 9.45 Sunday morning—no 
teachers to welcome us—no friends to meet— no bright, 





happy music and singing—no interesting lessons with 
illustrations and stories—no Sunday School “Paper’’—and no 
‘The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one 
from another’ ? 

That is the way it was fifty years ago. In 1872, where Ridley 
Park now stands there was nothing but farm land, no railroads, 
very few houses, no streets, only country roads and lanes. Prob- 
ably the oldest house in the Park is the old “Wheat Sheaf Inn,” 
on Chester Pike, where it is said George Washington stopped on 
one of his trips between Philadelphia and Washington; the build- 
ing is now owned by Mr. Aubrey Thatcher. ‘Then there was 
the stone house by the lake, the residence of Mr. W. C. Segner, 
and the Dutton House, now the home of Mr. Basset Ferguson. 
Dr. Mathew B. Grier, the first minister, occupied this house 
as the manse. We find also the Burke House for several years 
the Nurses’ Home of the Taylor Hospital. 

And of special interest to us is the big stone house at Me- 
Cormick Street and Chester Pike, at present the residence of 
Dr. John V. Mershon. 

Fifty years ago Robt. D. Henderson lived here with his family 
ot eight boys and four girls. He was a fine man, of high ideals 
and endeavored to live in strict accord with his Christian profes- 
sion—an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Glenolden, 
for many years, and for some time Superintendent of that Sunday 
School. 





92 








RESIDENCE OF DR. JOHN V. MERSHON 


IN 1875 THIS WAS THE HOME OF ROBERT D. HENDERSON WHO ESTABLISHED THE SUNDAY 
SCHOOL. THE HOUSE JIS SAID TO HAVE BEEN BUILT BY WILLIAM NEWBOLD SOME 
TIME BEFORE 1800. 


JENNIE McCORMICK HEN- 
DERSON 
DAUGHTER OF ROBERT D. HENDERSON, ONE 
OF THE SCHOLARS AT THE FIRST SESSION OF 
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 





CHARLES B. HENDERSON 
RAYMOND L. HENDERSON 


ERNEST B. HENDERSON 


Sons oF Rospert D. HENDERSON 


CHARLES AND ERNEST ATTENDED THE FIRST SESSION OF 

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. RAYMOND WAS TOO YOUNG, BUT 

WOULD DOUBTLESS HAVE JOINED THE ‘“‘CRADLE ROLL” 
IF THERE HAD BEEN ONE. 


He is described as about six feet tall, rather slender, stood 
erect, and weighed about one hundred and sixty pounds, of 
rather light complexion, had chestnut hair, blue eyes and shaved 
smooth, except under the chin. 

Mrs. Henderson, the only child of James McCormick, was 
short and plump, and much beloved by her neighbors. 

94 


In 1872 the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail- 
road built its new line through here. At that time it had two 
tracks only. The first train ran on October 19, 1872; then the 
Ridley Park Association was formed. ‘The company bought land 
and laid out the Borough of Ridley Park. Several residences 
were built, also the Ridley Park Hotel on Swarthmore Avenue, 
and a double store building on Hinkley Avenue. ‘There were 
living rooms above and in the rear of the stores. 








































































































THE RIDLEY PARK HOTEL 


THE FIRST SESSION OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL WAS HELD IN THE DINING ROOM JANUARY 3, 
1875 AT 2.30 P.M. THr Dutton HOUSE IS SHOWN OPPOSITE. 
This line cut furnished by Miss Ellen Ide Kenney. 


But the Presbyterians had no church nor Sunday School 
in this vicinity. “Che nearest one up the Pike was at Glenolden, 
and in the other direction, Ridley Church, on Fairview Road. 

The Baptists erected their church in 1873. 

Some of the Presbyterians of the Park proposed that the 
members of Ridley Church unite with the Presbyterians of the 
Park and build a church here, but members of the congregation 
declined this offer. 

95 


Then Robert D. Henderson proposed on December 30, 1874, 
that they start a Sunday School and declared that it would soon 
grow into a church, for said he—““The Sunday School is the 
nursery of the Church.” 

Mr. John Smith, the Superintendent of the Ridley Park 
Association, and in charge of the Ridley Park Hotel, offered the 
use of the hotel dining room for the Sunday School until the 
hotel opened for guests in the summer. 

This hotel stood where the residence of Mr. Charles A. 
Ernst now stands. It was a three-story red brick building with 
mansard roof. The entrance was in the center of the Swarthmore 
Avenue side. <A porch extended all along the Swarthmore side 
and across the Dutton Street end. “The dining room was on the 
left of the entrance or in the end next to Dutton Street. 

Here was held the first session of our Sunday School fifty 
at.2. 30a be Wlesonathe tirseepinday 
the 3rd of January, 1875. Sunday School was held here every 
Sunday until the following May, when the hotel opened for 





years ago—a half century 


guests. Mr. Henderson was Superintendent. 


‘The three-story frame store building built by the Ridley 
Park Association stood about where Mr. A. B. Harrison’s con- 
fectionery store now stands. “There were two store rooms in 
front. In the west room the Reverend John E. Alexander, a 
Presbyterian minister, conducted a private day school. 


In May the Sunday School moved from the hotel to this 
room, and Mr. Henry Holcomb followed Mr. Henderson as 
Superintendent. He lived in a stone house in Leiperville, on 
the south side of Fairview Road, near Chester Pike. 


The first church services were held in the railroad station. 
This building was partially burned some years later, but was 
rebuilt, and later the old bridge was replaced by a larger one 
to accommodate the two additional tracks. Church services were 
next held in the room occupied by Reverend John E. Alexander’s 
School and the Sunday School. Church pews were installed te 

96 





FRAME STORE ON HINCKLEY AVE. 


THIS BUILDING WAS THE SECOND HOME OF THE SUNDAY 
SCHOOL AND THE FIRST HOME OF THE CHURCH. IT WAS 
BURNED DECEMBER 25, 1891. 


Photograph furnished by 
Mrs. Isabel Simpson Smith Harrison. 


seat about 60 people. An organ was purchased for the Sunday 
School and Church. Miss Matilda Simpson played the organ 
for many years. She taught music and gave lessons to Miss 
Frances D. Keyes, who later played the pipe organ in our old 
frame church, and also in the present church. 

97 





OLD STONE HOUSE 


ON FAIRVIEW Roap, LEIPERVILLE, AT ONE TIME THE RESIDENCE OF HENRY HOLCOMB. 


The first Presbyterian Church building was erected on two 
lots at the corner of Swarthmore and Ridley Avenues. ‘These 
lots were given by the Ridley Park Association largely through 
the efforts of Mr. John Smith, Superintendent of the Associa- 
tion. The work of laying the foundation was begun December 
13, 1875, and the frame building completed during the summer 
of 1876, centennial year. “The first record of a meeting in the 
new church is on August 19, 1876, where a congregational meet- 

98 


ing was held in the new chapel to hear a draft of the charter 
incorporating the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church. 

Doubtless the Sunday School was moved over from the 
store building soon after, although we have no exact date. 

At that time the school met in the church auditorium. In 
a few years this room was too small for the school, and a room 
known as ‘the “Children’s Room” was added to the rear of the 
church and completed December 19, 1883. 

The Primary Department met in the new room and the 
older scholars occupied the church auditorium. 

The Sunday School helped to pay for the new building, and 
one year paid $100.00 to this fund. By 1914 the frame building 
with its “Children’s Room” and the “wings” which were added 
to the auditorium had become too small to accommodate the 
congregation and the present stone church was erected; the first 
session of the Sunday School was held in it on Children’s Day, 
June 13, 1914. 

Following is a list of the Superintendents and the date of 
service to the present: 


RODeT me CNOClSOn mar. ae, is oe i 1875.0 1575 
Hen ryan olcom bimeeer a O. telt/ he tne oh, ah 1375, towels 77 
MajoraDavider= BeeNeving 4.) 056) ose 1877 to 1881 
Herr Va Guns CY CS mmrmets fo ees ttn hae 1881 to 1902 
RODECTIMViEg VV OOCLU MNEs Bete ee tats 1902 to 1906 
VV Litre Vim ICN eee ce ees es gs 1906 to 1909 
EE DOYURVV Elis CG] Mamet ptr. een een ok 1909 to 1910 
(harlesmicseRicntermmemm le ime’ oo hea ie 1910 to 1914 
RODELER ROC SOLS NIE se 5s ae) ees aes 1914 to 1918 
Samuel Bo Henry cee. ST ee 1918 to 1920 
Harvey sAge CCl meen pele ie Mera a. ® L9Z0stom19Z 1 
VLE AI 2 | eS OSt Ol meerni desing ie tale ees tal, 197 16 to 


99 


THE SUPERINTENDENTS 


ROBERT D. HENDERSON HENRY HOLCOMB 
SUPERINTENDENT. SUPERINTENDENT. 
1875. 1875 To 1877. 
Photo page 91. We have not been able to find any 


photograph of Mr. Holcomb. 


DAVID R. B. NEVIN 
SUPERINTENDENT. 
1877 ro 1881. 
No photo could be obtained. 





HENRY C. KEYES 
SUPERINTENDENT. 
1881 To 1902. 


100 


E Lee . % a 
ost hoot i % 





RESIDENCE OF MAJOR D. R. B. NEVIN 


Now THE HOME OF Mr. GEORGE W. StutLt. PHOTO, 1925. 





ROBERT M. WOODRUFF WILLIAM M. ALLEN 
SUPFRINTENDENT. SUPERINTENDENT. 
1902 to 1906. 1906 tro 1909, 


101 





E. BOYD WEITZEL CHARLES E. RIGHTER 


SUPERINTENDENT. SUPERINTENDENT. 
1909 To 1910. 1910 To 1914. 





ROBERT RODGERS SAMUEL B. HENRY 
SUPERINTENDENT. SUPERINTENDENT. 
1914 To 1918. 1918 To 1920. 


102 





HARVEY A. REED WILLIAM J. BOSTON 


SUPERINTENDENT. SUPERINTENDENT. 
1920 To 1921. NOVA 96) Se 


The Secretaries’ and ‘Treasurers’ reports for the year ending 
March 31, 1925, show the conditions of the Sunday School at 
this date. 


To the Officers and Members of the Ridley Park Presbyterian 

Sabbath School: 

Your Secretaries submit the following report for the fifteen 
months, from January 1, 1924, to March 31, 1925. It will be 
noted that the date of making report has been changed to cor- 
respond to the church year. 

During the year the Association has held eight meetings, 
with an average attendance of 11 members, a slight gain over 
the previous year. 

103 


‘The average attendance for the period covered by this report 
has been 138, a gain of 31 over 1923. 

The largest attendance of any one Sabbath, excluding Chil- 
dren’s Day, was 189, on March 15th, which is also a gain over 
the previous year when the corresponding figure was 154. 

The number of officers and teachers on the roll is the same 
as in 1923, viz., 7 and 15, respectively. 

The present enrollment of scholars is 174, a gain of 16 
over last year. 

The Primary Department enrollment is 80. 


The Cradle Roll carries 19 names, as compared with 30 at 
the last report. 

We regret that it was necessary for Miss Ruth Stephani to 
relinquish her class during the year, but we were fortunate in 
securing Mr. $. B. Henry to take up the work. 


Owing to the crowded condition of Miss El Lu Smith’s 
class, it was divided and a new class formed under the leadership 
of Miss Eleanor Cram. 


The financial condition of the school is set forth in the 
report of the Treasurer attached. 

The Primary Department has been particularly active this 
vear under the leadership of Miss Alice E. Bartow, an outstand- 
ing feature being a “Tom Thumb” Wedding” early last spring, 
which netted a profit of about $75.00, which sum, by vote of 


the Association, is being used to further the work of the Primary 
Department. 

The annual Children’s Day exercises were held on June 8th 
in connection with the regular church service, with an attendance 
of 290, with the Pastor making the principal address. 

The picnic was again held at the Aberfoyle Country Club, on 
June 27th, with a good attendance of members and friends of 
the school and was a most enjoyable occasion. 

104 


The school was again represented at the Young People’s 
Work Convention, at Blairstown, New Jersey, by six delegates, 
and the benefits of their attendance at this gathering have been 
well demonstrated in a number of ways. 


The Rally Day exercises were held on October 12th, with 
an attendance of 173. 

On December 22nd the Christmas celebration was held in 
the church, the offering, in accordance with our usual custom, 
being devoted to the work of the Presbyterian Orphanage. 

On February 1, 1925, a Men’s Bible Class, under the lead- 
ership of Mr. Norman Mochel, was organized, and very en- 
couraging progress is being made. ‘This class is open to all men 
of the church and congregation, and it is hoped that many more 


will avail themselves of its advantage. 


On January 25th, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding 
of the Sabbath School was observed. ‘Three former Superin- 
tendents were able to be with us and made addresses appropriate 
to the occasion, while Mr. W. H. Stanton presented an interesting 
historical sketch of the first fifty years of the school. In this 
connection, it is proposed to have more elaborate exercises in 
May, at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Church. 

It is a pleasure to record that during the period covered 
herein six members of the school united with the Church, the 
classes of Mr. A. C. Dell, Mrs. Bassett Ferguson, Miss Ruth 
Stephani and Mrs. L. D. Stratton being represented. 


Early in the year our Pastor, the Rev. Frederick Schweitzer, 
was installed, and under his efficient leadership the work of 
this important branch of the Church is being vigorously prosecuted. 


Respectfully submitted, 
CLARENCE S. PLATT, Secretary. 
WILLIAM SLACK, Jr., Asst. Secretary. 
105 


Receipts 


TTREASURER’S REPORT 


EXPENDITURES 


Balance Jan’ 1, 19245, 2+0241,59= = elf-support =e ee 
983.60 Presbyterian Orphanage. . 
Balance, March 31, 1925.. 


$1,224.99 


$885.47 
200.00 
139,52 


$1,224.99 


WILLIAM THORNE, Treasurer. 
WILLIAM HENRY STANTON. 





ANNIE AND REBECCA ANDERSON, 
DAUGHTERS OF 
SAMUEL C. ANDERSON 


ANNIE (LEFT) WAS THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLAR 
TO JOIN THE CHURCH ON PROFESSION OF FAITH APRIL 15, 
1878. SHE LATER TAUGHT IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL, AND 
HAD A. PARKER NEVIN AS “‘ONE OF HER BOYS.” REBECCA 
HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL WORK. 


106 


‘SVaNL “ANYOHLT “MM “OD ‘INaWLavdaqg 
AUVAING JO “1dNS ‘MOLAVE “YF AOITY SSI ‘LSINVIG “11lGq AHLOUO(T SSIJ ‘Svaa 
‘OUS SILVIg “S°O /"A0US “LSSY “MOVIS “MA "Laas 
“LSSY ‘AHOWAWOVYL ‘VY “ff ‘rans * 


SYdMOITAO TOOHOS AVANODS 


u 


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NOLSOg ‘f{ “(WA\ {"1dNS ‘OSSY ‘NVWUALSA AM “SY SAALSINOHD ‘YTHSTY “H “MA 





107 


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110 





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111 


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NAP VAHLAV(] ‘SILaO) ALLANVa [ 


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112 


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113 


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VaVT) SU ‘Cav M LWA ‘SU ‘NNVH “WW assaf SsIpy {aug “] aINNaL ‘sayy ‘aSSAOud( AINNY ‘SU ‘AIddl YY dITIHY ‘Saf 

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TOOHOS AVAGNNS FHL 





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114 


THE, CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY 


HAT the young people of the church were early in- 
terested in their religious growth is shown by the forma- 
tion of a Christian Endeavor Society. “he minutes of 





the first meeting have just been found, from which the 
following extracts are made: 

December 2, 1892, the young people of Ridley Park Pres- 
byterian Church met to consider the organization of a Young 
People’s Society of Christian Endeavor. 

Rev. J. L. Rushbridge was made chairman. 

Adah Rushbridge secretary pro tem. 

Remarks upon Christian Endeavor week by Mr. Hoffman, 
followed by a motion to organize, which was carried. 

Reading of the Active and Associate Membership Pledges 
by Mr. William C. McKnight. The chairman requested those 
present who wished to join, to give their name to the secretary. 

A motion to adopt the Model Constitution and that a com- 


mittee be appointed to arrange same,—carried. 





ELECTION OFFICERS 


Mr. McKnight was elected President. 
Miss Annie Hetzel, Vice-President. 
Adah Rushbridge, Recording and Corresponding Secretary. 
Miss Carrie Hetzel, Treasurer. 
It was decided by motion that the time of meeting shall be 
Sunday evening, 6.30, subject to change. 
115 


COMMITTEE TO ARRANGE CONSTITUTION 


Miss Bessie Stackhouse 
Miss Laura Buchanan 
Miss Alice Henderson 


COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL 


Miss A. Hetzel 
Miss Laura M. Carnes 
Miss A. Rushbridge 
A. RUSHBRIDGE, Secretary. 


Mr. William Clark McKnight, the first president, is now 
pastor of the East Minster Presbyterian Church, Detroit, Muich- 
igan. Later Mrs. F. S. Crawford, wife of the Pastor, was 
president. 

There being no continuous records, it is impossible to get 
much definite information. 

In 1895 the Christian Endeavor Society pledged $200.00 for 
the support of the church, which was paid regularly for a number 
of years, and on May 1, 1903, paid $350.00 on expense of side- 
walk, curb and gutter around the church property. 

Records between the time of organization, December, 1892, 
and November, 1895, are not available. However, in November, 
1895, officers were nominated and elected at the December meeting 
to serve for the year 1896, and from that time the following served 
the society as officers: 


Date President Vice President Secretary 

1896 W. E. Hetzel Miss F. D. Keyes F. B. Driver 

1897 Norman P. Sloan Miss Snyder EeabeDriver 

Loser Wer Vise | Weel Wetzel RoaByDriver 

1899 H.-W. Avise, Jr. Miss E. A. Reed S. C. Moore 

1900 W. L. McFetridge F, B. Driver S. C. Moore 

1901 W. L. McFetridge Miss Mary E. Snyder S. C. Moore 

1902 H. W. Avise Miss R. M. Scott Miss L. M. McMaster 
1903 R. D. Gilmore H. “A. Reed Miss L. M. McMaster 
1904+ G. W. Atherholt Miss A. Halkett Miss L. M. McMaster 
1905 F. B. Driver Walter Halkett Miss J. Devine 


116 


= 


Treasurer 

Miss Carrie Hetzel served the Society as ‘Treasurer continu- 
ously from its organization in 1892 until it disbanded, probably 
in 1895. 

The Society was very successful during the Pastorate of 
Dr. F. Swartz Crawford and for three years conducted Sunday 
Evening Services on the church lawn. 

{t was not unusual to have Christian Endeavor meetings of 
100 attendance. “The Society was disbanded during the Pastorate 
of Dr. S. T. Linton and was reorganized as a Young People’s 
Society, but did not continue long. It was next reorganized as a 
Christian Endeavor in June, 1917. “The Sunday School had sent 
Miss W. Elizabeth Warner and Miss Catherine Marshall to the 
Young People’s Conference at Mt. Pocono. Upon their return 
the Society was reorganized with the help of Mrs. D. H. Edwards 
and Harvey A. Reed, then Superintendent of the Sunday School. 

The following served as officers: 

1917-18 Miss W. E. Warner, Ellis Moore, Virginia Brandt, N. P. Sloan, 
ahs 
1919-21 Uncertain. No records available. 

January, 1921, the Society was divided, Mrs. Edwards taking 
charge of a Junior Section, and Harvey A. Reed the Senior 
Society. 

Some months later the Society was disbanded for nearly a 
year and again reorganized, with the following officers: 

1922 Henry Palmer. (No record of other officers.) 


1923 Wayne Platt, Henry Palmer, Dorothy Wieland, Darthea Henry. 
192+ Isabel Taylor, Adele Henry, Lillian Westerman, Alice E. Bartow. 


MAZ ePreaeit eae ae 5 eR ee eS ig k Sak Adele Henry 
Face-Pre std ent ss 2 he ee ee es Jeanette Curtis 
COLES POnAINGESELT ELaT Ue em ef. a ee Marion Hicks 
NECOTAING ESCO CLOTY ep een Lillian Westerman 
aT A SUPLY te Ree yah BNE AG He ot AR ce ee case Alice E. Bartow 
POROUS GOT IITLELS 2 WE ee «tix Shp dasaues Seca Henry Palmer 
IZLOCMALOHe LO NMI Ee La i a. et ee Wiede Ge Platt 
LP ELTA CELIO: TELL? SRN Neale We PAR aS Ae ee Darthea Henry 


Misic’ GOmmmitltéen a ee eee Margaret MacMurchy 


IMisstonary. Committe cman ae ei eee Ethel Irwin 
PLANtS EOP e cA te see PT REO ta eel Dorothy Dell 
SUP ETVISOT 1. ORet ae ee ee eee ec Arthur C. Dell 


The Senior Society, now under the general leadership of Mr. 
A. C. Dell, has a membership of 36. Eighteen of the young 
people of the Church attended the Young People’s Work Con- 
ference at Blairstown, New Jersey, thirteen of whom were mem- 
bers of the Christian Endeavor Society. “The work carried on is 
evidence of their interest in it and is fitting them for active church 


work in the future. 
Harvey A. REED. 





SENIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR OFFICERS 


Wayne C. PLATT, Co. INFORMATION Com.; DARTHEA, HENRY, CH. FLOWER Com.; A. C. DELL, 
SUPERVISOR; DorotTHy DELL, Pianist; HENRY PALMER, CH. Lookout Com. 


MARGARET MacMourcay, Cu. Music Com.; Lintt1ANn WESTERMAN, REc SeEcy.; ADELE HENRY, 
Pres.; ALICE E. BARTow, TREAS.; ETHEL IRWIN, CH. Miss. Com. 


118 


JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR 


‘The present Junior Christian Endeavor Society was organized 
February 15, 1925, and now has a membership of forty-four. 
Officers and Committee Chairmen are as follows: 


ERCSI LCT tRRen rer taret o iret Pomc Re eh Le James Paiste 
Vices Tesi en tee en errr hie ae Jessie Stiles 
Weasels eee eae er ee ete Ethel Moore 
SeCreta lV, Wan te ee ees i eee ay ete Josephine Dell 
LOGKOUL Se eee ee | eee ee hos Richard Palmer 
SOCAL ee ee een ee Pe ne ee Tea Eleanor Reed 
NOLS ICH ete nee ey Oe eee ence ence LT Pt. ar if, Bruce Stratton 
Bravyere Vicetin gia hea aoe, Dorothy Wieland 


In addition to a study and discussion of the assigned topic 
each week, we are devoting considerable time to Memory Work of 
Scriptures, texts arranged by the Presbyterian Board for use in 
Young People’s Societies. “The Juniors also are making a Chris- 
tian endeavor to bring some cheer and encouragement to any 
unfortunate children who may be in our local hospital. 

The interest the young people are showing in every phase 
of the work is very gratifying. Much of this interest is due to 
the encouragement given by our Pastor, Rev. Schweitzer, and 
to Miss Dorothy Wieland and Miss Marion Hicks, members of 


the Senior Society who are assisting in the work. 


Mrs. Ortver BeNpD_erR, Superintendent. 


119 





JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR 


OFFICERS AND WORKERS: Miss ELEANOR REED, Miss Marion Hicks, Mrs. O. S. BENDER, 
SUPERINTENDENT; BRUCE STRATTON, RICHARD PALMER. 


JESSIE STILES, V-P.; JOSEPHINE DELL, Sec.; ETHEL Moore, TREAS.; 
3ETTY STURM, PIANIST. 


120 





JAMES A. McKNIGHT 


A RULING ELDER FOR MANY YEARS, AND ONE OF THOSE WHO ASSISTED IN LAYING THE 
CORNER STONE OF THE NEW CHURCH IN 1914. 


r ve 
KATHERINE M. CLARK McKNIGHT 
(Mrs. J. A.). 
THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE WOMAN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY. FOLLOWING THE DEATH 
OF Miss FANNIE FARNHAM, PRIMARY SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT IN 1887, Mrs. 
McCKNIGHT TOOK UP THE WORK AND CARRIED IT ON MOST FAITHFULLY UNTIL HER DEATH 
IN 1909. 


THE WOMAN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

COVERING THIRTY THREE 

YEARS OF SERVICE 

HE Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society 
of the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church was organized 
in 1892 by Mrs. James A. McKnight. ‘The officers 
elected were: Mrs. McKnight, President; Mrs. T. 
Pennock, Vice-President; Mrs. F. W. Lamping, Sec- 
retary; and Miss Anna M. Hetzel, Treasurer. 

For seventeen years, until her death in 1909, Mrs. Mc- 
Knight was the presiding officer, and under her care and leader- 


121 








FANNIE C. MOORE 


LAMPING 
(Mrs. FRANK W.). 


Mrs. LAMPING WAS THE FIRST 
SECRETARY OF THE MISSIONARY 
SOCIETY. 


ship the Society was successful in 
distributing missionary informa- 
tion, and in sending money and 
barrels of valuable clothing, house- 
hold articles, gifts and toys, which 
gladdened the hearts of our pioneer 
Missionaries, their wives and chil- 
dren, enabling them to do better 
work in their respective fields. 
Mrs. Lamping’s daughter, while 
visiting at Chautauqua, New York, 
was asked by a minister who was 
attending a conference if she could 
by any chance know a Mrs. Lamp- 
ing, of Ridley Park, and when she 
said, ““Why, yes, she is my mother,” 
he said, “Will you tell her of the 


joy we had when we opened a barrel from the Ridley Park Mis- 


sionary Society, we found just the thing we needed, and some 


things we wanted very much.” 


The barrel contained a 


since she was to give an address 
at a Presbyterial Meeting that 
spring she was delighted to have it. 

Nisa ee incon eathe sefirst 
Vice-President, took charge of the 
Society from April, 1909, to Octo- 
ber, 1909, when Mrs. L. B. Dis- 
brow was elected to fill the office 
of President. Mrs. Disbrow served 
four years and during that time 


“Best 
Dress” for the minister’s wife, and 
b) 





the annual praise service with col- ANNA M. HETZEL 
lection of mite boxes was_ insti- HOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS TREAE- 
tuted. Money for the salary of URER OF THE WOMAN’S MISSION- 


ARY SOCIETY. 


122 


a Bible Woman was sent each year, and a good beginning was 
made in Americanization work, when the Society voted to pay 
$6.25 toward Miss Wright’s salary. Miss Wright was a worker 
in the Chester Italian Church. A sled at the cost of thirty-five 
dollars ($35.00) was purchased for Rev. A. F. Johnson, who 


was a Missionary to the Indians at Pine Ridge, in South Dakota. 


In March, 1912, Miss Jessie Rodgers, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Robert Rodgers, of the Ridley Park Church, reported her 
assignment to Korea, and later on the Society assumed a part of 
her salary. Mrs. Disbrow resigned as President in October, 1912, 
and again Mrs. Linton took charge until in March, 1913, when 
Mrs. E. Boyd Weitzel was elected President, but owing to her 
removal to Philadelphia she resigned in June. 


The Presbyterial Society of Philadelphia, at the cost of 
$10,000.00, built “The Frances Evans Weitzel Memorial Dormi- 
tory’ in memory of Mrs. Weitzel’s splendid work in the Phila- 


delphia district. “This dormitory for girls is a part of the True 
Light Middle School in Canton, China. 


Mrs. Lewis A. Klein consented to fill the unexpired term 
of Mrs. Weitzel, and occupied the chair from October, 1913, to 
March, 1915. Mlost of the meetings were held in the homes of 
the members, as our new church was being built. “The attendance 
increased, programs were well-planned and nicely carried out. 


The Society showed a great interest in the young people of 
the church and several Missionary Bands flourished under the 
care of the Misses Elsie Rodgers, Anna Worrell, Eleanor Kellog 
and Jean Robertson. 

In March, 1915, Mrs. W. H. Stanton was elected President, 
and has served the Society for ten years, with the exception of 
a few months in 1920, when Mrs. Clarence Platt took charge. 
In these ten years many changes have taken place; twice the 
Society was asked to increase its gifts ten per cent, which it did, 
and in 1921 the pledge card system was introduced; this proved 

123 


a success, as our gifts to both Home and Foreign Missions have 
materially advanced. 

In 1915 word was received of Miss Jessie Rodgers’ engage- 
ment to Dr. A. G. Fletcher. Since her marriage her support 
as a Missionary has been taken over by the Presbytery of Phila- 
delphia, North. Dr. Fletcher has charge of the Presbyterian 
Missionary Hospital in Taiku, Chosen. For two years our Society 
has provided the money to care for one bed in this hospital. 

In 1916 the Fourth District of the Chester Presbyterial 
decided to do some special work among the foreigners in the 
vicinity of Ridley Park. A committee was appointed to investi- 
gate, with Mrs. Charles Pomeroy as chairman. After a careful 
survey, work was started in South Chester. ‘This work has de- 
veloped into a Community Center, and is known as the Chester 
Neighborhood House. A teacher is employed and much good 
work is done entirely under the care of the Chester Presbyterial 
Society. 

Our Society helps to defray the expenses of delegates to 
young people’s summer conference each year. 

In 1918 Mrs. Chester Spencer was elected to take the place 
of Miss Marion Chesebro, who had been a faithful secretary for 
three years, and Mrs. Clarence Platt was elected to take the place 
of Miss Anna M. Hetzel. It was with sincere regret that the 
Society accepted Miss Hetzel’s resignation after her twenty-five 
years of efficient services. 

In 1923 the Community Mission Study Class was organized 
by Mrs. Winifred 5. MacHenry, and for two years Miss Susan 
B. Lodge, of Philadelphia, was the teacher. Mluch interest was 
shown by the women of the four churches of Ridley Park. “The 
average attendance was 30. 

In the Spring of 1925 a school of missions was conducted on 
seven Wednesday evenings, with an average attendance of 32. 

124 


The three classes were under the leadership of Mr. Schweitzer, 


Professor Hastings and Mr. Le Maistre. 


The Treasurer’s report shows that $1,108.52 was collected 


and disbursed to Home and National Missions the past 


WiC aa 
March, 1924, to March, 1925. 
The officers of the Society for 1925-26 are as follows: 
Presidente geen ca eres Mrs. Wm. H. Stanton 
j Mrs. Robert Rodgers 
Vice= Presidents |. 254) Som « Mrs. C. E. Righter 
EM: L. A. Amsler 
DOGLCLAL Vaan ah ime a ney ae yon cbe Mrs. F. C. Wallace 
LP TEG2 ste tamer tn ce Mrs. A. W. Walker 
DECretaT ye Ore itera tu Ce aeeh re ne eee ee Mrs. W. A. Ray 
Decretary of stewardship... 4. Nits eA EtICKsS 


Mrs. Won. H. STANTON. 





THE FIRST CHILD BAP- 
TIZED 


IN THE STONE CHURCH WAS MARGARET 
A. KERSHAW, JuNE ~ 13, 1915: 
DAUGHTER OF FREEMAN AND ADELAIDE 
HALKETT KERSHAW AND’ GRAND- 
DAUGHTER OF WILLIAM G. HALKETT. 


125 


‘ISINVOUO ‘LLVId ‘S “) ‘SY *‘d-A ‘SuaoaoyY “ZW “Say 
‘INGGISAYd ‘NOINVLS "HM SUJN S'd-A Call “AaISNY “Y “J ‘SU {SVauL “UAMIVM OM VY ‘Sa 
> " IX t I W yay \ 
‘dIHSQUYMALS ““AOGS “SMOIP “VY LL SU 
‘HaNLVAALIT “ACTS “AVY VY OM SUIN *'d-A ‘OdS “SGLHOIY “YD ‘SU 3AOS “GOVTIVM “D “SAIN 


ALAIOOS AUVNOISSIN NOIAYOA GNV ANOH S.NVWOM FHL tO SAHAOIAO 





A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE SEWING CIRCLE 


In the ‘Spring of 1876, before the first chapel of the Ridley 
Park Presbyterian Church was completed, the Mite Society was 
organized and a few women gathered together to sew for the poor 
and aid in any way possible the little church struggling to estab- 
lish itself. The first meeting was called by Mrs. H. C. Keyes, 
Mr. Keyes conducting the devotional exercises, using as a basis for 
his remarks the ninth chapter of Acts. 

Dr. Grier was the pastor at that time, and the Mite Society 
began its work with Mrs. H. F. Kenney as President and Mrs. 
H. C. Keyes as Secretary. Unfortunately, the early records of 
the Society were lost, owing to the fact that an epidemic visited the 
borough and they were destroyed. Among the earliest members 
were the names of Mrs. H. F. Kenney, Mrs. H. C. Keyes, Mrs. 
i Pennock WitseeVV..@. Paylor Wvirs: J, H. Jones, Mrs. W. R. 
Bandell, Mrs. R. B. Henderson and Mrs. F. W. Lamping. 

Mrs. Lamping, being unable to sew, volunteered as her part 
to furnish a lunch of potato salad, coffee and bread and butter, 
thus inaugurating our present custom of a mid-day luncheon served 
by a different committee each month. “The name was changed to 
the Sewing Circle on December 5, 1883. 

One of the earliest entertainments given by The Sewing 
Circle was in the form of an afternoon tea, refreshments furnished 
by the Shredded Wheat people, the proceeds used to purchase the 
first gas stove in the old church. 

Many very delightful entertainments and suppers were given 
in the Ridley Park Hotel, Mrs. H. F. Kenney often taking charge 
of them. 

In 1895 the membership had increased to thirty, paying dues 
five cents a week, with a varying membership of from 19 to 73 

U2A 


in 1915. It was the custom for a number of years for the Sewing 
Circle to turn into the Church Treasury the sum of $500.00 
annually, besides the clothing made and donated to the Missionary 
barrels, the Presbyterian Orphanage, Needlework Guild, Taylor 
Hospital and other charities. 

In the early days the Circle met in various private homes, 
and during the building of the new church, in the Men’s Social 
Club house. 

At the present time meeting in the Sunday School room of 
the church, the lunches being served in the social room upstairs. 

For many years one of the features of the Sewing Circle 
activities was the annual Martha Washington supper, a particu- 
larly successful one being held in the manse in 1900. 


In later years this has been superseded by the Fall Bazaar, 
a notable one on December 3, 1920, realizing for the ladies 
$815.00. Mrs. L. B. Chesebro, President; and again on Novem- 
ber 17, 1922, at which time $1,100.00 was raised, Mrs. C. H. 
Heineman, President. In 1924 Mrs. William E. Eby, President 
of the Sewing Circle, turned over to the Board of Trustees a 
check for $600.00. Authentic records of thirty years ago show 
the names of four of our present members—MIrs. G. W. Ather- 
holt, Miss Anna M. Hetzel, Mrs. J. H. Devine and Mrs. F. W. 
Lamping. 

Space forbids mention of the many names of members who 
have worked long and faithfully to make the Society the success 
it is today, but mention should be made of Miss Mary Lincoln, 
for many years the faithful Treasurer of the Sewing Circle, and 
of Mrs. William TV. Ward, who for years planned and cut and 
supervised the making of the garments completed by the Sewing 
Circle. A partial list of Presidents includes the names of Mrs. 
Harry Parker, Mrs. Alfred Driver, Mrs. J. W. Noble, Mrs. 
B. P. Shreve, Mrs. Howard Slater, Mrs. C. E. Righter, Mrs. 
L. B. Disbrow, Mrs. L. B. Chesebro, Mrs. C. H. Heineman 
and Mrs. William E. Eby. 

128 


M 


‘wood 


YOM LV 


TIOOHOS AVGNNS NI OLOHd 


IOUIO ONIMYS FHL 


a 


e 





129 


At the present time we have a membership of 96 women, with 
the following officers and chairmen: 


President 223). ae eee Mrs. A. W. Williams 
Vice-Eresidentia sre eee Mrs. William E. Eby 
Z2n@sV ice-Erestdentenne eee Mrs. J. A. MacMurchy 
Secretary? oe re eee eee Mrsnaleetiee Grint 
CLT @asSu rere we ees he Mrs. T. A. Hicks 
Property Committees.) 40 9-) eee Mrs. C. E. Righter 


Mrs. C. E. Righter 
Parchasing 92.06 ee Miss Anna M. Hetzel 
| Mrs. John Derousse 


1 William H. Stanton 


A pronsiga cee py ee ee ; 

Mrs. William H. Stanton 
Flowers", sot. 4242 ee Mrs, Ga 5-.blate 
Sewing Machines sey seus Mrs. J. E. Brandt 
Lunch e6n?5. 3 see eee eee Mrsee lbs Ward 

WORK COMMITTEES 

Orphanage taco hss Ciera eee Miss Jessie Cox 
Hospital #oay ita oe eee Mrs. Phil Hipple, Jr. 
Needlework Guild™=32 42 ot ee Mrs. A. C. Dell 


In a spirit of cheerful loyalty may we carry on the work of 
the Sewing Circle and strive to bring nearer that time for which 
we pray, 

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in 
heaven. 


Mrs. A. W. WILLLIAMS. 


‘ATLHOIY “YO ‘Sa {SVAN ‘SMOIW “V “L SUIN 


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‘LIVI ‘S ‘D ‘Say ‘TAZLAP, VNNY SSIJAI “ass 


‘ 


nod ‘gq AINNY ‘Say ‘TIF "DV ‘SA ‘NOLNVIS ff “AA SUI “AIdd IP] TING ‘Suyy 


€TOUIO ONIMAS AHL AO SUAOIMAO 








CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ROLL 


Amsler, Mrs. Emily 
Andrews, Francis G. 
Andrews, Mrs. Francis G. 
Arataki, Dr. Minoru 
Arataki, Mrs. Minoru 
Arnold, C. Russell 
Arnold, Mrs. C. Russell 
Atherholt, George Hetzel 
Atherholt, George W. 
Atherholt, Mrs. Geo. W. 
Atherholt, Helen Elizabeth 
Avise, Harry Waller, Jr. 


Bailey, Celeste 

Bailey, John 

Bailey, Mrs. John 
Bandell, Wm. R. 
Bandell, Mrs. Wm. R. 
Bartow, Alice E. 

Bates, Mrs. Martha Helms 
Bell, Frederick N. 

Bell, Mrs. Frederick N. 
Bender, Oliver S. 
Bender, Mrs. Oliver S. 
Bender, Richard Oliver 
Bentley, James H. 
Bentley, Mrs. James H. 
Bentley, Mrs. Marguerite 
Bentley, Robert Peel 
Bentley, Mrs. Robert Peel 
Berlet, Emile John 
Berlet, Emile John, Jr. 
Berlet, Edward B. 
Berlet, Mrs. Emile John 
Black, John C. 


ww 


Bond, Frank B. 

Bond, Mrs. Frank B. 
Bond, Frank Henry 
Boston, Wm. J. 

Boston, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Branch, Victor 

Branch, Mrs. Victor 
Brandt, J. Edward 
Brandt, Mrs. J. Edward 
Brandt, Ruth Eleanor 
Brandt, Virginia L. 
Bright, Arthur Clegg 
Bright, Mrs. Arthur Clegg 
Brooks, Howard 
Bryant, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Burn, Mrsa Ellaet. 
Burn, H. Mary 


Bush, ‘Theodora 


Collins, Jessie Elizabeth 
Commins, Alene 
Commins, Alonzo Larue 
Corsi, Luigi 

Coulter, Mrs. Martha W. 
Cox, Jessica W. 

Cram, Christine Alice 
Cram, Eleanor Ethel 
Cram, Florence Marjorie 
Cram, Mildred Catherine 
Craner, Frances 

Cutler, Annie M. 


Dannaker, Lillian M. 
Dannaker, Mrs. Sadie V. 
Deane, Mrs. Clara R. 
Deane, Earl V. 


bo 


Deane, Mrs. Earl V. 
Deane, Nancy 

Deane, Olive 

DeLannoy, Mrs. Louise S. 
Dell, Arthur C. 

Dell, Mrs. Arthur C. 
Dell, Dorothy J. 
Derousse, Mrs. Annie B. 
Devine, Jane Reed 
Devine, Mrs. Sarah F. 
Disbrow, Bennett L. 


Disbrow, Mrs. Bennett L. 


Disbrow, Lewis B. 
Disbrow, Mrs. Lewis B. 
Douglas, Bruce 
Douglas, Mrs. Bruce 
Driver, Jane Blatchley 
Driver, Philip B. 
Dunn, Mrs. Roland I. 


Earpe, Mrs. Jeanette 
Earpe, Jessie W. 

Eby, Margaret 

Eby, William E. 

Eby, Mrs. William E. 
Elmes, Clyde C. 
Elmes, Mrs. Clyde C. 
Emery, Benjamin F. 
Emery, Mary C. 

Erb, Mrs. Jennie L. 
Ernst, Charles A. 
Ernst, Mrs. Charles A. 
Ernst, Helen Agnes 
Ernst, Louise 


Fenn, Mrs. Lorena Hood 
Fenn, Lucille H. 
Ferguson, Bassett, Jr. 
Ferguson, Mrs. Mary S. 
Ferris, D. Brainard 
Ferris, Mrs. D. Brainard 


Ferris, Suzanne A. 

Fisher, Warren T. 

Fisher, William H. 

Fisher, Mrs. William H. 
Flemming, Mrs. Margaret C. 
Fletcher, Mrs. A. G. 

Ford, Mary Matthews 
Fraser, Dwight 

Fraser, Grant 


Gerson, Reuben 

Gerson, Mrs. Reuben 
Gerson, Rowland 

Goeltz, Mary E. 

Goodell, Amos Jerome (deceased) 
Goodell, Clarence K. 
Goodell, Mrs. Clarence K. 
Goodell, Hazel Mary 
Goodell, Mrs. Lida 
Grifhn, Thos. Henry 
Griffin, Mrs. Thos. Henry 


Halkett, James Spencer 
Halkett, Walter Ainslie 
Hall, Alma May 

Hall, William H. 

Hall, Mrs. William H. 
Hann, Jessie M. 

Harbison, Harold J. 

Haves srs. 1..A; 

Haynes, Mrs. Elsie May 
Hecht, Paul 

Hecht, Mrs. Paul 
Heineman, Mrs. Carl H. 
Helms, Marguerite 

Helms, Paul 

Henderer, Charlotte 
Hendrixson, Charles E., Jr. 
Hendrixson, Charles E. 
Hendrixson, Mrs. Charles E. 
Hendrixson, Larue 


Henry, Adele 

Henry, Darthea 

Henry, Samuel B. 

Henry, Mrs. Samuel B. 
Herfurth, Mrs. Walter R. 
Hess, Leonard M. 

Hess, Mrs. Leonard M. 
Hetzel, Anna M. 

Hetzel, Caroline K. 
Hetzel, George C. 

Hetzel, Mrs. Isabel H. 
Hetzel, William E. 
Hetzel, Mrs. William E. 
Hewlings, Elmer S. 
Hewlings, Mrs. Elmer S. 
Hewlings, Lily M. 

Hicks, Mrs. Jennie M. 
Hicks, Marian Alice 
Higgins, Mrs. Ethel 
Hinkson, Mrs. Bessie Ward 
Hinkson, J. Ward 

Hipple, Philip 

Hipple, Mrs. Philip 
Hipple, Phil 

Hoffman, Alfred Alexander 
Hoffmann, Eugene L. 
Hoffmann, Mrs. Eugene L. 
Hohl, John Max 

Hohl, Mrs. John Max 


Imre, Julia 

Ingram, Rufus M. 
Ingram, Mrs. Rufus M. 
Irwin, Andrew 

Irwin, Mrs. Andrew 
Irwin, Ethel 

Irwin, Mildred 


Johnson, Mrs. Anna T. 
Johnston, Anna R. 
Johnston, Eva E. 


Kates, Carlton 

Kerst, Mrs. Benjamin H. 
Neves mnienry.c- 

Kirk, Reuben Albert 
Kirk, Mrs.-Reuben Albert 
Koernke, Julius 


Lairdstiarry o: 

Laird, Mrs. Harry S. 
Lamping, Frank W. 
Lamping, Mrs. Frank W. 
Lamping, Frank W., Jr. 
Lappin, Frank Wallace 
LeMaistre, Frederic J. 
LeMaistre, Mrs. Frederic J. 
Limerick, John Hunter 
Loan, James 

Loan, Mrs. James 

Loan, Ruth 

Lukens, Mrs. Winifred Sloan 


MacCarter, William J. 
MacHenry, Adele 
MacHenry, Winfield Scott 
MacHenry, Mrs. Winfield Scott 
MacMillan, Merrill 
MacMillan, Mrs. Merrill 
MacMillan, Ruth F. 
MacMurchy, Douglas 
MacMurchy, J. A. 
MacMurchy, Mrs. J. A. 
MacMurchy, Margaret 
McNeal, Margaret A. 

Martin, Mazie 

Mathews, Mrs. Albert 
Mauterstock, Mrs. Laura May 
McConnell, Edward 
McDougal, Sarah Emily 
Miller, William J. 

Mitchell, Mrs. Doris Garvin 
Mitchell, John A. 





134 


Mitchell, Mrs. John A. 
- Mitchell, Lucullus N. D. 
Mitchell, Samuel Walter 
Mitchell, William K. 
Mochel, Norman L. 
Mochel, Mrs. Norman L. 
Moffatt, Dorothy 
Moffatt, Robert H. 
Moffatt, Mrs. Robert H. 
Moore, Chas. W., Jr. 
Moore, Delmas 

Moore, Herman A. 
Moore, Jennie 

Moore, Marion Elizabeth 
Moore, Samuel C. 
Morrison, John C. 
Morrison, Mrs. John C. 
Morrison, William 
Murphy, Harold P. 
Murphy, Mrs. Harold P. 





Otis, Warren W. 
Otis, Mrs. Warren W. 
Owens, Mrs. P. H. 


Paiste, Dillwyn P. 

Paiste, James France 
Palmer, Alice 

Palmer, Henry C. Taylor 
Palmer, Jane 

Penfield, Mrs. Josephine 
Penfield, William McCarthy 
Phelps, Nelson G. 

Phelps, Mrs. Nelson G. 
Platt, Clarence S. 

Platt, Mrs. Clarence S. 
Platt, Wayne C. 

Pomeroy, John Hazlerod 
Pomeroy, Mrs. John H. 
Pomeroy, William James M. 
Pyie tial, 

Pyle, Mrs. L. L. 


Quigley, Mrs. Ruth Ladley 


Ramey, Mrs. Helen B. 
Ray, William A. 

Ray, Mrs. William A. 
Reber, J. Howard 
Reber, Mrs. J. Howard 
Reed, Eleanor Gardner 
Reed, Harvey A. 

Reed, Mrs. Harvey A. 
Reed, Marjorie C. 
Reed, Richard Hazen 
Righter, Charles E. 
Righter, Mrs. Charles E. 
Robinson, Percy S. 
Robinson, Mrs. Percy S. 
Rodgers, Alfred S. 
Rodgers, Mrs. Alfred S. 
Rodgers, Catherine Winters 
Rodgers, Elsie G. 
Rodgers, Robert 
Rodgers, Mrs. Robert 
Rogers, Rudolph J. 
Rogers, Mrs. Rudolph J. 
Rogers, John William 


Salin, Mrs. Frances W. 
Schwalm, Frederick M. 
Schwalm, Mrs. Frederick M. 
Schweitzer, Mrs. Frederick 
Scotney, William C. 
Scotney, Mrs. William C. 
Scott, James K. 

Scott, Mrs. James K. 

Scott, Mrs. Marie Heineman 
Sechrist, John 

Sechrist, Mrs. John 

Sechrist, Mary 

Shattuck, Mrs. Frances F. 
Shaw, Mrs. Agnes 

Shaw, Charles P. 


135 


Shaw, Mrs. Charles P. 
shaw, Gharlesel-s)t 
Shaw,.VitseCharles in, x. 
Shrieve, Benjamin P. 
Slack, William, Jr. 

Slack, Hilda Caroline 
Slater, Mrs. Howard C. 
Sloan, Norman P. 

Sloan, Worrell W. 

Smith, Cecelia L. 

Smith, El] Lu M. 

Smith, James Murphree 
Smith, Mrs. James Murphree 
Stanton, William H. 
Stanton, Mrs. William H. 
Stelwagon, Henry W. 
Stelwagon, Mrs. Henry W. 
Stephani, William J. 
Stephani, Mrs. William J. 
Stephani, William Joseph, Jr. 
Stewart, Mrs. Frank 
Stewart, Richard 

Stiles, Dorothy Blanche 
Stiles, James Taylor 

Stiles, M. D. Sidney 

Stiles; Mrs. M. D. S. 
Stouffer, Ruth Shirley 
Stratton, Mrs. Leon D. 
Stull, Charles R. 

Stulis Glarkap: 

Stull, Fernando Miriam 
Stull, George R. 

Stull, Gideon M. 

Sturn a he 

Sturm,sMrs. CAR: 

Sturm, Mrs. Elizabeth 


Taylor, Helen Hayes 
Taylor, Isabel 
Taylor, Levis P. 


Taylor Lb ceceasean 
‘Laylore Mites Le P: 
Thompson, Robert G. 
Thompson, Mrs. Robert G. 
Thorn, Mrs. C. W. 
Townsend, Frank E. 
Townsend, Mrs. Frank E. 
Divorce, Toya 

agi Soe Virsa red, 

Turner, Elwood Jackson 
Turner, Mrs. Elwood Jackson 
Turner, Mrs. F. F. 


Vanden, Henry E. 

Vanden, Mrs. Henry E. 

Van Dyke, Louise Thomas 

Van Kleeck, Patricia Victoria 
Von Sick, Mrs. Gladys Dorothy 


Walker, Arthur W. 
Walker, Mrs. Arthur W, 
Walker, James M. 
Walker, Jane Claire 
Walker, Joseph G. 
Wallace, Mrs. Anna E. 
Walton, Mrs. Margaret V. 
Ward, Mrs. Grace A. 
Wards Virgo Leb. 
Ward, Mrs. Wm. T. 
Webb, Mrs. Reba B. 
Weir, William 

Weir, Mrs. William 
West, Mrs. Doris Heineman 
Westerman, Alice M. 
Westerman, Harold H. 
Westerman, Lillian G. 
Westerman, R. S. 
Westerman, Mrs. R. S. 
White, Helen Agnes 
White, Mrs. Margaret 
Whitney, Mrs. Charles 
Wieland, Andrew P. 


Wieland, Mrs. Andrew P. Winkle, John Rolf 


™ Wieland, Dorothy H. Wolfe, Kathryn D. 
Wille, Maurice F. Wolfe, Douglas 
Wille, Mrs. Maurice F. Wolfe, Jeanette Celeste 
Williams, Arthur W. Worrell, Anna L. 


Williams, Mrs. Arthur W. Wright, Mrs. A. W. 
Williams, Edward P. 
Williams, Herbert F. 

Williams, Margaret Young, Mrs. Margaret N. 


SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP ROLL 


Name 

HEN RYe GCE Y ES. ome eas he he chit eda etc Class No. 

Oliver S. Bender Miss Jessie Hann 

Mrs. O. S. Bender Miss Caroline K. Hetzel 

Mrs. Clara Deane Mrs. Phillip Hipple 

Mrs. A. C. Dell Samuel C. Moore 

Mrs. Annie B. Derousse James M. Smith 

Mrs. Nelson M. Downes Mrs. R. S. Westermann 

Mrs. Jennie Erb Mrs. W. T. Ward 

Mrs. Margaret C. Fleming Andrew P. Wieland 
VEGA Mae SH ER pee ee ene Meee ew We, ed Class No. 

Felix Corsi James Paiste 

Ralph Corsi Jack Palmer 

Charles Ernst Richard Palmer 

Eugene Ferguson Pair edaPotts.s) cr 

Grant C. Fraser John Rogers 

Alfred Harrison Carl Scott 

Robert MacMillan Paul Stephani 

Robinson Mitchell Bruce Stratton 

Earl Pace Henry Wille 


137 


NorMAN L. MocHEL....... 


Joseph F. Brooks, Jr. 
Earle V. Deane 
Arthur C. Dell 
Alfred A. Hoffman 
James Loan 

Herman A. Moore 
Harold P. Murphy 


MISS ore Ie eS Milt ee ee 


Santine Corsi 

Sue Collins 

Dorothy Dennis 
Katherine Laird 
Margaret Laird 

Mary Alice MacMillan 


NRG eee OSS TRATCO Nee ee 


Marie Brown 
Frances Dennis 
Charlotte Ernst 
Mary Fagan 
Betty Hoffman 
Helen Imre 


VV) TEPHAN eee 


Josiah Bartlett 
Richard O. Bender 
Bassett Ferguson 
Andrew Jack 
Bruce Kamp 
Samuel Mitchell 


ELEANOR, CRAMee |e 


Josephine Dell 
Olga Moore 


A ete. Class No. 


William Pitzer 
Alfred Rodgers 
C. H. Stormfeltz 
Harry Stull 
Joseph Stull 
Charles Sturm 
A. W. Walker 


Harold H. Westerman 
eee eee Tae Class No. 


Adene Maffett 
Esther Moore 
Catherine Moore 
Margaret Nicol 
Josephine Stelwagon 
Jessie Stiles 


Re ee Te he tg: Class No. 


Ethel Moore 
Jane Pomeroy 
Eleanor Reed 
Lillian Robertson 
Betty Sturm 
Sara Walker 


Fee hid aie ek Pee Class No. 


John H. Pomeroy, Jr. 
Richard H. Reed 
James Stiles 

Levis P. Taylor 
John R. Winkle 
James Walker 


Joseph Walker 


Sol ay Ot eae ea Class No. 


Jane Palmer 
Anna Scott 


= 


WiLiiAM H. STANTON 
Frances G. Craner 
Margaret Eby 
Ethel W. Irwin 


Class No. 8 
Mildred W. Irwin 

Dorothy H. Moffett 

Eleanor B. Shaw 


INI RSee AGS ale OER GUSON I et pe es ee Class No. 9 


Grace Bartow 
Ruth Brandt 
Marjorie Cram 
Jeanette Curtis 
Nancy Deane 


Hitpa A. SLACK 
Mildred Cram 
Dorothy Dell 
Charlotte Henderer 
Lillian Hewlings 
Marian Hicks 
Ruth MacMillan 


SAMUEL. B. HENRY 
Helen Ernst 
Ruth Loan 
Florence Moore 
Katherine Rodgers 


ROBERT G. ‘THOMPSON 
E. B. Berlet 
ES je Berlet, jr: 
Charles Bonnett 
Howard Brooks 
Dwight Fraser 
Charles Hendrixson 
Carlton Kates 


PauL HECHT 
Mrs. L. A. Amsler 


Miss Helen E. Atherholt 


Miss H. Mary Burn 
Mrs. Paul Hecht 


evdeles tenry 
Darthea Henry 
Marion Moore 
Elizabeth Sheetz 
Kathryn Wolfe 


BL Laid dan2, te Class No: 10 
Helen Moffatt 
Marjorie Reed 
Doris Stiles 
Isabel Taylor 
Jane Walker 
Lillian Westerman 
Dorothy Wieland 


Eh 8A Seen ee G@iasseNon il 
Ruth Stouffer 
Patricia Van Kleeck 
Alice Westerman 
Margaret Williams 
Jeanette Wolfe 


RO EE Ne PR Oe ire ClasseNow 12 


Wallace Lappin 
Delmas Moore 
Henry Palmer 
Richard Pomeroy 
Joseph Stephani 
Richard Van Kleeck 
Douglas Wolfe 
Dilwyn Paiste 


Class No. 14 
Mrs. W. R. Herfurth 

Mrs. T. A. Hicks 

Mrs. J. A. MacMurchy 

Mrs. Frederick Schweitzer 


139 


OFFICERS 


William |S OstOl ae ane oe ee ne ener Superintendent 
eo. VlaclViureh yes ees ee First Assistant Superintendent 
Rees eVV CSter rd ae ee Second Assistant Superintendent 
CiS.4 Platter cote eee han es ee Seen aa eee. oe ee Secretary 
WW illiamcs lack: 3) 1 vr eee eee eee Assistant Secretary 
GrWeelhornys [rc eu ents cake nee ee ‘Treasurer 
Weayne. Go Rl atte enemies ee Assistant ‘Treasurer 
Wiel eR ishers ete cathe cee, eg ee a cn oa, Chorister 
Miss sD Oroth yee! meee pa ey ee eee Pianist 
Miss Alice E. Bartow... .Superintendent of Primary Department 


PRIMARY DEPARTMENT 


Tommy Allison John Corsi 
Edith Bartlett Ann Coulter 
Ruth Bender Marcia Coulter 
Grace Benson Franklin Cowl 
Lillian Bentley Jessie Curtis 
James Bentley Bruce Douglas 
Lawrence Berlet Eleanor Downes 
George Berlet Jack Downes 
Bobby Booker Alice Eastlake 
Buddy Booker Donald Eastlake 
Dorothy Brooks Bernice Eby 
Elizabeth Brooks Badgley Elms 
George Brooks Carl Elms 
William Brooks Laddie Elms 
Eleanore Brown Allen Evans 
Doris Burns Dorothy Farnsworth 
Robert Burns Paul Fisher 
William Campbell Carl Fissell 
Harrison Collins Wilbur Fissell 
William Congdon Lois Fissell 


140 


Doris Gallagher 
Ann Gray 
Samuel Gray 
Pershing Harrison 
Edna Hiehotz 
Emmett Hook 
William Howland 
Thora Jack 

Fritz Kobayashi 
William Kirk 
John Mackenson 
Suzanna Mackenson 
Donald MacMillan 
Edith Mitchell 
Miriam Mitchell 
Thomas Mitchell 
John Mochel 
Mortimer Moore 
Malcolm Murphy 
Evelyn Ordain 
Marie Paiste 

Ruth Parks 

Elaine Sakers 
Dorothy Sakers 


Georgia May Scott 
Mildred Scott 
Thelma Scott 
Bobby Shaw 

Rhea Simpson 
William Smith 
Irene Stafford 
Jane Stafford 
Carol Stelwagon 
Marion Stiles 
Dorothy Stormfelts 
Stephen Stratton 
Dorothy Thomas 
Buddy Thomas 
Joyce Thompson 
Sidney Vincent 
Jack Vincent 
David Wenrich 


Frances Ann Wenrich 


Mary West 
June West 
Jack West 
Leidy Whitman 
Betty Williams 


Che Presbyterian Church 
Ridlep Park, Pa. 


The Session has received the following reports dealing with 
the various activities of the Church for the year closing March 31, 
1925. They are approved and referred to the Congregation at its 


annual meeting, April 15, 1925. 
HENRY C. KEYES, 


Clerk. 
SESSION 
Moderator: Rev. Frederick Schweitzer. 
1928 1927 
Henry C. Keyes, Clerk Samuel B. Henry, Treasurer 
Charles E. Righter William H. Stanton 
1926 1925 
George W. Atherholt William J. Boston 
Clarence S. Platt John A. MacMurchy 
Membership Reported to Presbytery 
Reported tA pril (15.1924 bee ce en ee ee Bee tp! 
Accessions: 
Oni Provessionracaditec ice ccteses ee ere 13 
Bye Certificatew gs... sicse rte voce aera eae Pash LY 
Losses (From Active Roll): 
By Certificatesarare. ccs ccs eae 6 
Suspended Wri ets oc leeks oe eet oo mene 1 
Deceased Mere cnc tiene tre ie een ere Ls 
Net! Gain sc, Soar ee ee te 34 
Active Membership Reported: 
Marchr8 1" 1925 e7 ead. te ine niet searete eter tcreten a te 385 


Note: Forty members now on the Active Roll will probably 
be suspended after the procedure required by the law of the Church 
is complied with. Eighteen of our members are non-resident, but 
contributors. The local active membership on March 31, 1925, is, 
therefore, 327. 


BENEVOLENCES OF THE CONGREGATION 


BalancesA prilel 1 0242-6 ete eae ees $21.20 
Receiptstfromsblue.envelones*.)... 1 a ee 667.72 
——— $688.92 
DISBURSEMENTS 
Board (ots Nationale MissionSee sen ee ee eee $234.24 
bosrdtote FL oreione Missions... ee ee ee 178.47 
Boararot. Christian bducation ess cee ee 83.94 
Board soLevianisterial sheleia cee.) ee ee 55.77 
American? Bible-Society 0. 2 ee ee 4.19 
Federal:Couneilvot/Ghurchess 2. fee ae reall 
Endowment Fund, Wilson College .............. 75.00 
To Sabbath School, for Blairstown Delegates .... 20.00 
Balance’ on, nand, Marchesl, 19250 ee 36.20 
$688.92 


142 


The Session has personally contributed $80.00 toward reducing 
the deficit of $137.00 incurred when the present quartet was em- 
ployed. 

The Minister reports that he has made 210 calls since taking 
up his pastorate on May 1, 1924. He conducted a class for young 
people in preparation for church membership for six weeks, with 
an enrollment of 19. 

The average attendance at the regular stated services since 
May 1, 1924, was as follows: 


Morning Evening Prayer 

Service Service Meeting 
By CN ae A For RR Oe Grae a 175 113 34 
JUNC eee te oe ene 184 80 33 
oJ ULLY g scatete Seenemen tris stares che pe,efots. bts 125 — — 
AVS UStpr ee err aire et are ctanane toe LA ao — 
Sentembetae eee en oe ss 125 55 — 
CCLODer mere ieitie castes ce ce. phyB {¥- 40 
INOVGMDOTUR. cai aes cusiacs cheiore cos 158 59 34 
Decembera ca. ees oe oe oe 151 61 24 
PLATIULAL Vaasa are. eatscacesteneke oer aiekere < 161 80 38 
WeDruar Vis oe ee ieee es 163 86 a2 
Marche nao eis oe ean eke 156 67 24 


At the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, the number of com- 
municants was as follows: 


Preparatory 
Service 
ARMS Situs roy eee SA Mioren rehan sas 74 
OCtODer er tects cece ae os ces slevoletetel > 176 66 
APTIE A?) SAAR Aa tAy. BSA tah 163 15 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
1925 1926 
George C. Hetzel, President Earle V. Deane 
Frederick J. LeMaistre C. Russell Arnold, Treasurer 
Charles A. Ernst Thomas H. Griffin, Secretary 
1927 


William H. Hall 
William K. Mitchell 
Arthur W. Williams 


CURRENT EXPENSES OF CONGREGATION 


RECEIPTS 
Cash.on hand: 7A pri seloc4e ee eo oe, $540.51 
Receipts pirom alle sources sy cece se 9,280.32 
TOGA BAe foc senile se tee emhaee ae anata ote hee $9,820.83 
EXPENDITURES 
HOne Alls Dur poses ao mepateta ai aye acs elakite?s a edece's (on. D,500200 
Cashtonshand (2.24. cred eae eae. oe 459.94 
EL OTEEL aces hae ia ree iaieiate ewes Sie ans $9,820.83 


For detailed report of current expenses for the calendar year 
see last annual report of the Board of Trustees to the Corporation. 


143 


At the direction of the Corporation meeting, a fund is in 
course of collection for the purpose of liquidating the indebtedness 
of $2,000 on the church, incurred when the organ was rebuilt. 


The budget for the calendar year is $10,687.11. 


THE SABBATH SCHOOL 


Superintendenteaca. acca oer Wm. J. Boston 
Associate Superintendent ......... J. A. MacMurchy 
Associate Superintendent ......... R. S. Westerman 
PECretaAry Fouls cw as oa ee Clarence S. Platt 
Assistant Secretary arn. eee ee William Slack, Jr. 
‘Treasurers; 7.4.00. 3 Roan Coat Catt. Gre Wee Lorn ar. 
Assistants Treasurers... sere anes Wayne C. Platt 
SupteRrimary<Depten can cet Alice E. Bartow 
Supt. Cradle: Rollover, Mrs. Robert P. Bentley 
Choristers. ose eo ane William H. Fisher 
Pianista.) see dae lees cake ae oe eee Dorothy Dell 

OfficerssandsLeachercm asset ine re 22, 

Pupils tik ew cette rie eee ene cence 250 

CL OLA] Sader tare eae scence cuca ae 257 
Unitedewithtthe: Ghurchedseue ene eee 6 
Gradlefroll Sc trees orc tls tear eee etre Aer rc 19 
Avera senattendancen etre 1a aac oneness oe 138 
Targest’resular/attendances...65 see eee ee 189 
Children’ssDay-atiendanceles a.) ee ee oe 290 
RallysDayrattendanceget. oe ea eee ie oe 173 
Delegates to Blairstown Conference ........... 6 


Fiftieth Anniversary Observance, January 25, 1925. 

On February 1, 1925, a Men’s Bible Class, under the leadership 
of Mr. Norman Mochel, was organized, with a membership of 
twenty. To promote the social activities among the men of the 
church, two socials were held, with an average attendance of fifty. 


TREASURER’S REPORT 
January 11,1924; to Marehyol, 31925 





Balance  Januaryiel es) Goat erento er ee $241.39 

Receipts sired see ante ae ane ate ae, el a 983.60 
<n — $1,224.99 

EXPENDITURES 

Self-SUpPNOTtwes wee oe Oke ce aE ene en ee tee $885.47 

Presbyterians Orphanage e se tact tara a ts 200.00 

Balance, “Marchrst 219200 cn cere crete cree roan ete 139.52 
————$1,224.99 


Mrs. Ferguson’s class8 reports $5.00 donated to the Sewing 
Circle, with which to buy material for making clothing for the 
Presbyterian Orphanage; $2.50 to the Christian Endeavor Society 
toward expense of the Blairstown delegation; $5.00 to the Women’s 
Missionary Society for the Korean Hospital; $5.00 for Needlework 
Guild garments; $3.75 to purchase glasses for a poor child; $2.50 
for Christmas stockings for orphans, together with hundreds of 
dressings made for the Taylor Hospital. 


144 


Miss Slack’s class—“King’s Messengers”—reports holding a 
bake and raising $40.68. They contributed $10.00 to Home and 
Foreign Missions and $10.00 toward the church debt, with a balance 
in their treasury of $33.96. In addition, they filled 13 stockings 
and contributed them to poor children at Christmas. 


WOMEN’S : MISSIONARY SOCIETY 


Mrs. Robt. Rodgers, 
Mrs. Chas. E. Righter, 
Mrs. L. A. Amsler 


DCELEUE Werte ere ainte a ctr ous ons Mrs. Anna Erskine Wallace 
rede elrer ists afeits tse ones Mrs. Arthur W. Walker 
Secrerarvr ols Witeracures:.... ou Mrs. Wm. A. Ray 
Secretaryoocewardsnip, a.m ween lee ae Mrs; 0A. Hicks 


Average attendance, 23. 


Speaker at annual Praise Service, Dr. J. R. C. Ewing, President 
Foreign Board. Attendance, 150. 

Two plays, directed by Mrs. L. D. Stratton, were given on 
Chinese Night, with an attendance of 140. 

A study course, “China’s Challenge to Christianity,” was con- 
ducted on seven Wednesday evenings during the winter, with an 
average attendance of 32. The teachers were: Mr. LeMaistre for 
the men; Prof. Hastings for the young people, and Mr. Schweitzer 
for the ladies. 

Dr. Sui Wu, of China; Dr. MacDonald, of China, and Mr. 
Ishamura, of Japan, spoke in the church; Dr. Herbert L. Lyle, of 
Washington College, Tennessee, spoke in prayer meeting, and Miss 
Anna Elizabeth Taylor, of the Board of Natural Missions, spoke on 
Orientals in America. 


MISSIONARY TREASURER’S REPORT 
March, 1924, to March, 1925 


” 


Missy UALS OATLOW | L.OSULELS? sm Sine cls tin clenieus. pelos ers lots $2.00 
Ohestere. meg) 2b POStaAl NOLICCSesra talc eu ere eerois ol kere 3.00 
Pekin, University, China, Miss Sin Wong )......6..4..- 45.00 


Anna R. Dickey, Treasurer, as follows: 
Foreign General Fund, Salaries, Building Fund.. 450.00 


Foreigna he mercency | Hund Ota 4ahe psa acemt yams 1.00 
Foreign Contingent Fund (6 cents per auxiliary 

MCMBEM tere ey ee ee oer eae ee 3.60 
Home Contingent Fund (6c per auxiliary member) 3.60 
Home.Pimerrency und aoe ee ey ee oe 1.00 
Home General Fund, Salaries, Building Fund and 

SPECIAIAODIGCES Ra et ee Oe ek ee 260.00 
Freedmen, New Work, Salaries, Building Fund 

and Scholarships Pte! COPA PPicteie a kre eee rer 55.00 
Freedmen se Cnristinas er, cet ns Pits coinak as «kis 4.00 
Miss Cochrane’s Christmas Scholarship ........ 4,00 
New Americans, Salary of Mrs. Tedesco and up- 

keep of Christian Neighborhood Home, Chester 95.00 
Money to buy materials for overseas sewing.... 25.00 
Collection toward Young People’s Summer Con- 

MELENCE FOX PCN Sekar he Be ou tldus <itere sees eles 11.32 


Dr. James Ewing’s Meeting of February 22 . 

Contribution toward hospital bed in Korea (sent 
to Mr wes Hiletcher Nebraska) fae. stash ois 

Christian Neighborhood House, Christmas ...... 


Total PDiISburs ements mmeremee retort laine cic caret 
Totals Receiptswe ee oreer ee rine ie © hte ete 


$1,092.52 


1,092.52 


In addition, a collection of $16.00 was contributed to Mr. 


Ishamura, a Japanese student at Lebanon Valley College. 


THE SEWING CIRCLE 


Mrs Arthur yw caw illiiaiis neces eienete tee President 
Mrs BW iis cisDY a osteo eae Vice President 
Mrserd A MacCMurch Vig vee sectecee Vice President 
Mrs* To. Griftin 27.2% ante cree ieee eer eae Secretary 
Mrs. DAS Hicks oteicrcn cece renee ates Treasurer 


Eight meetings, with an average attendance of 54, were held, 
and eight new members admitted. The ladies called in "48 homes— 
106 aprons were made; 341 articles sent to Taylor Hospital, 112 to 
the Needlework Guild, and 45 to the Presbyterian Orphanage. 
Flowers were placed in the church and afterward forwarded to 


the sick. One bazaar and two suppers were held. 
TREASURER’S REPORT 


Receipts 
Cashronsnand.@A prilels 3 9O4 ween eee ae $132.80 
Dues) Received itn. cane eee ee eee 99.00 
Miscellaneous, Cash nesters oe ee iste erate 2.81 
Sale: ofA pronsaee sce eee veo asco ae AS etee 8.70 
specials Pund from small-apronssea se. eee 45.00 
Special Fund from Luncheon and sale knives . 37.50 
Rummage Sale for Hospital ..... Sa Ree cate eetas 160.52 
Rummage Sale for Orphanage ............... 196.00 
Missionary .oupper ie. oe eee eee ee ee Sova 
Bazaar andgoup pera acc ccc erate eee SAS. 09 
Expenditures 
LaUNGY V3 oe ee ae ee ee eee ee ee ee $7.93 
Flowers and convalescent cards ............. 46.55 
CASI sh Rea te cee ete te ects ie aie ad eetiete 12.69 
Taylor Hospitals Dulldin get und eoeen re eee 100.00 
Presbyterian vOrphnanage & 2. ee ee ae eee 75.00 
TOcBoard'Ote LLustecsea. «arte ree eee 600.00 
Repair-of Sewing Machines ee eee 5.25 
Merchandises?-.. -=:. a eM ete neti A eae 12.35 
Miscellanecous# hx pensessa.. sate reo eee 5.00 
Deposited in Saving Fund for Taylor Hospital 60.52 
Deposited in Saving Fund for Orphanage ..... 121.00 
Balanceron) Hand sMarchys l,l OZoe ree ee ee 139.85 
Savings Account 
Balance for Hospital, April 1, 1924 ....2..... $15.00 
Deposited forHosnital esa. .4. 4a.eee eee 60.52 
Deposited ‘for Orphanage. «sess se cn 121.00 
Balance Marehial 41920 2.55 ae eee $196.52 


$1,186.14 


$1,186.14 


Presbyterian Orphanage and Old Ladies’ Home 


Collected through Mrs. Williams, for Home for Widows 


and Single Women, Synod of Pennsylvania ...... $86.00 
Collected through Miss ’Anna Hetzel, for Presbyterian 
RET ATA S OM Mare eee a eens 4 ao 0 a4" iat oh eeeaal sae 128.75 


SENIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY 


Supervisor - - - - - - - - - Arthur C. Dell 
President - - - - - - - - - - Adele Henry 
Treasurer - - - - - - - Alice E. Bartow 
Recording Secretary - - - - Lillian Westerman 
Corresponding Secretary - - - - - Marian Hicks 


TREASURER’S REPORT 


Receipts 
Balance receivedieumc & Sk Ras eee ere oe ene eres $18.69 
Byccoluectionssangscontr 1DULlONS a, eer eee 93.08 
Stra wberrvaelestival Geren ac oe ie 58.59 
——— $170.36 
Expenditures 
Elowersetors sicko ee arc a tiie texte ea a6 $1.50 
Presbyterian Young People’s Work ..........+. 29.00 
MISSIONS oe ets oP ete he cre ce ane cbs 30.00 
Christians Endeavor W OFlden em cae iat wie ete eae 2.00 
Expenses of delegates to Blairstown .......... 36.60 
Denationsto. Darby, branch) .G Hy vee... coe ee es 3.00 
Donation to Delaware County Union ........... 7.00 
Pledges, Manuals, Stamps, Envelopes, etc. ...... 8.85 
Expenses of delegates to Glenolden Conference.. 8.00 
SIOCIAIS MR pp riedd aalie loa 'ssc sie eleaqteste @aed cocenniyes aoe ee 33.21 
Balancevonsnand evnase de secksaw eee es hs ae 11.20 
$170.36 


The society is well organized and has had a number of regular 
and well defined business meetings. It operates under a budget 
with pledges and envelope collections. 

The present enrollment is 25 members, with good prospects 
of increasing this number. 

The society sent 4 delegates to the Presbyterian Young People’s 
Conference at Blairstown, N. J.; 2 delegates to the State Christian 
Endeavor Convention, at Pittsburgh, Pa., and 8 delegates to the 
Presbyterial Young People’s Conference at Glenolden. 


JUNIOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY 


Supervisor - - - - - =- = Mrs. O. S. Bender 
President - - - - - - = = = - James Paiste 
Vice President - - - - - - - = = Jessie Stiles 
Treasurer - = = - = = = = - «= Ethel Moore 
Secretary - - - - - - - = = Josephine Dell 


This society was organized on February 15, 1925, with 20 
charter members. The present enrollment is 37 members. 
The amount in the treasury as of March 31, is $5.62 


147 


Consolidated Financial Statement for All 


Organizations 

BENEVOLENCES 
National Missions = ere sae ee $713.34 
Foreign oMissions ©. .e.se eee eres 861.57 
Hducation dee eerie Eee 197.94 
Reliefagy ae ac ccs co oh le Ee. Soe 
Miscellaneous: virys-nc cee eee eee 606.30 
$2,434.92 

LOCAL 

Current. “EExXpenseSi. ercire erie cae $10,482.61 
Total ture 'sales ccc sleet tap ree, $12,917.53 


Pledges for Congregational Current Expense 
and Benevolences 


Current Per Week Benevolence 
1 $8.00 — 
3 5.00 — 
i 4.50 — 
1 4.00 1 
2 2.50 — 
8 2.00 4 
4 1.50 _ 
3 AS a 

383 1.00 9 
6 15 — 
— .60 1 
67 OU 18 
1 .40 — 
3 10D a 
a .30 al 
78 PAS 54 
— .20 9 
— ALS 1s 
18 .10 45 
si 05 5 
230 162 


Note—In many cases a single pledge represents husband and 
wife. 


In conformity to the policy and practice of the Presbyterian 
Church, Secretaries and Treasurers of all boards and agencies 
operating under our church are hereafter to present their minute 
and account books to the Session for inspection and approval along 
with their annual reports at the close of the church year. 

The attention of all organizations operating under the auspices 
of our church is called to the fact that all records, including sub- 
scriptions for any purpose whatsoever, are, by the law of the 
church, under the supervision of the Session, and available at 
any time for whatever use the Session may direct. 

Boards or organizations having enacted any rules or operating 


148 


under any policies in conflict with this requirement are hereby 
directed to rescind the same and hereafter to conform to the above 
directions. 

(See Minutes of General Assembly, 1921, page 201; 1887, pages 
117, 118—Form of Government, Chapter 9, Section 6.) 


BY ORDER OF THE SESSION. 
Attest: HENRY C. KEYES, Clerk. 


NOTE 


The contributions, including pledges and envelopes, are in charge of: 
Current expenses of the Congregation, Mr. T. H. Griffin. 
Benevolences of the Congregation, Mr. Samuel B. Henry. 


REPORTS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY 


‘The first reference to the Ridley Park Presbyterian Church 
in the statistical reports of the General Assembly appears in 1877. 
Apparently no report was sent to Presbytery in the year 1892. 

Elders were not noted in the minutes until 1881. Losses by 
death and dismissal to other churches were reported from 1897, 
by suspension from 1908. Restorations to active membership from 
suspended roll were reported first in 1908. Since 1924 no reports 
on baptism are included. 

Under the financial reports fractions of the dollar are omitted. 
Before the consolidation of the benevolent boards in 1923 the 
benevolences were divided among eleven separate agencies. In this 
summary the amounts given to each agency are consolidated under 
the four boards into which they were later merged. 


(See pages 150-153) 


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INDEX 


Alexandereneve) ply 1.0, 105-39; 
96 

Allen, Rev. R. H., 14 

Allen, William M., illus. 101 

Anderson, Annie, i//us. 106 

Anderson, Rebecca, i//us. 106 

Anderson, Samuel, z//us. 29 

Anderson, Sophia, 16 

Anthony, W. P., 53 

Auditorium, z/lus. 67 

Avise, Hig W., Jr. 55 


Baptists, The, 95 

Barber, George C., (3rd), 55 
Barton, Dr. Isaac, 53 
Benson, Gustavus, 46 
Boston, William J., z//us. 103 
Bryn Mawr, 34 

Budget, The First, 48 
Building Committee, The, 40 
By Laws, The, 48 


Carnegie, Andrew, 53 
Carr, Emmiline, 14 
Cemetery, Ridley Park, 15 
Chapels allsse 3300 52 
Chapel enlargement, The, 52 
Charter,» Phe, 12,741 
Chauncey, Miss, 27 
Children’s room, The, 52, 99 
Childs, George W., 46 
Choir, The, illus. 76 
Christian Endeavor 
ig A 
Christian Endeavor Ofhfcers, illus. 
118 
Christian Endeavor Society list of 
officers, 115-117 
Church Annual Report 1925, 142 
Church Membership Roll, 132 
Church Statistics Covering Fifty 
Years, 149-153 


Society, 54, 


155 


Church, Brandywine Manor, 17 

Church, Calvary, 14 

Church of Cranbury, 24 

Church of Darby, 10, 14, 46 

Church of Glenolden, 92 

Church, New Stone, z/lus. 65 

Church, new stone, Description of, 
66 

Church of Ridley, 8, 14 

Clayton, Judge Thomas, Jr., 41 

Cochran, John, “14 

Collection, The First, 39 

Communion, The First, 15 

Compilers Notes, 6 

Congregational Meeting, 39, 40, 41, 
48 

Conundrum, A, 70 

Copeland, Mr., 34 

Covert, William Chalmers, 
LED mallas. 35 

Craig, Alice B., 14 

Craig,' John; dlus: 9, 14, 15, 16, 48 

Graig; John A:, 13, 145 dlus. 42, 
44 


BIS DE. 


Craig, Mrs. John A. illus. 42 
Craig, Mrs. Margaret, illus. 9, 14 
Craig, William A., 14 

Crawford, Ada Vere, illus. 20 
Crawford, Carl McM., illus. 20 
Crawford, Frederick McD., illus. 20 
Crawitord; Mrs ere -o:, oL16 


Crawford, Rev. F. Swartz, 
illus. 19 


DD 


Dales) Wa De Dressel i 14 
Deane atls Vee) 

Death, The First, 15 

Dilks, A. W., 12, 43 
Driver, Alfred, 53 

Dutton House, 44, alus. 45 


Edwards, Mrs. David H., 24, illus. 
aes 

Edwards, Rev. David H., 24, illus. 
OAS 

Elders, The, 27> ailus.431 

Envelope Plan, 53 

Ernst DT, awk oo 0 yO 

Ernst, Helen A., illus. 4 

Ewing, Rev. Charles H., 89 


Felton, Samuel M., 38 
Ferguson, Bassett, 44 

Fiftieth Anniversary, The, 77 
First Baptism, illus. 125 

First Marriage, 86 

First Meeting in Chapel, 98 
Birstedsraiiaslie.e95 

Fletcher, Dr. A. G., 89 
Fletcher, Mrs. Jessie R., i/lus. 89 
Fraser, Roderick, 36, 39 - 
Frontispiece, opp. 1 


Galloway, John L., 49; i/lus. 50 

Gogle, George, 48 

Golden Anniversary, 40 

Grier, Mrs. Marie Cuyler, 70 

Grier, (Rey. Diavie By 12a ius, 
SOE RGM AU ee, eee oe 
AS t46 21 99852,6 594000 

Griffin, T. Harry, 38 


Halkett, William G, 55, 56 

Tall ees Obert eo 

Harlan, Samuel, 46 

Harrisons’ Confectionery Store, A 
Bees6. wis os 

Harvey, John, 50 

Henderson, Boys, illus. 94 

Henderson, Miss Jennie, 48; i/lus. 
93 

Henderson, Mr. R. D., 
9159925790, 4200 


10; illus. 


Henderson, Mrs. R. D., illus. 91; — 


94 
Henry, Samuel B., z//us. 102 
Hetzel, Miss Annie, z//us. 122 
Hetzel, Miss Carrie, 115 
Hetzel, George C., 55, illus. 70 
Hinkson, John B, 46 
Historical Sketch, 8 
Holcomb, Henry Residence, 

98 


illus. 


156 


Holcomb,: Henry, 10, 12, 14, 36, 39,43 

40, 96, 100 
Totcnkine Ore bb. 6, ele 
Hyatt, Colonel Theo., 46 


In Full Time Service, 87 
Introduction, 5 


Jones, Rev. Professor B., 17 

Junior Christian Endeavor, 119 

Junior Christian Endeavor offers, 
illus. 120 


Kellogg, Thomas M., 56 

Kelley, W. J., 46 

Kenney, Charles H., 74 

Kenney, Ellen Ide., 48, 75 

Kenney, H. F., 12, 38, -39, 43, 46,. 
49, 59, illus. 71 

Kenney, Residence, i//us. 72 

Kenney, Mrs. H. F., 48, z//us. 71, 
74 

Keyes, Miss Frances D., 75, 97 . 

Keyes, Henry C., 50, 60, 74, illus. 
100 

Kimball, Mr., 46 

Kurtz ehéyestlo eee 

Lamping, Mrs. illus. 
122 

LeMaistre, Mr. F. J., 55 

Limerick, Mrs., illus. 23 

Limerick, Rev. Frederick, 22, illus. 
23 

Limerick, Frederick, Jr., c//us. 23 

Limerick, Sarah, illus. 23 

Lincoln, Mr. and Mrs. H. B., tllus. 
28 

Linton, Mary Alice, illus. 21 

Linton’ Rev...S) CU. 1liusy Ze 22,756 

Vinton, Mrse Sb tile et 

Loetscher, Dr. F. W., Ph.D., D.D., 
illus. 84 

Looking Backward, 7 


Frank W., 


McCormick, James, 94 

McKnicht, J. A., zl/us. 121 
McKnight, Mrs. J. A., z/lus. 121 
McKnight, William C., i/lus. 87 
MacMasters; Dr., * 53 

Maddock, W. W., illus. 35, 36 


Maloney, J. W. & Co., 46 


‘Manse, The, 44, 46, 48; z/lus. 51 


Meeting First, .36 ' 
Memorial Tablet in Honor of Sun- 
day School, i/lus. 82 


Memorial Tablet in Honor of S. T.. 


Linton, 58 : 
Mershon, Dr. John V., 92 
Mershon, Dr. J. V., Residence, 
illus. 93 
Miller, Mrs., 48 
Miller, Rev. Park Hayes, 24 
Missionary, Society, 121 
Missionary Society ofhcers, 
126 
Mitchell, William K., 55 
Mite Society, The, 45, 50, 51, 59 
Morton Black & Co., 46 
Mowry, Rev. Phillip H., 14, 42 


Nurses’ Home, The, 92 

Nelson, Edwin K., 58 

Nevin, Andrew P., 40, 77, 79 

Nevin, D. R. B., Residence, illus. 
101 

Nevin, D. R. B., 12, 13, 14, 36, 38, 
44, 46, 49, 59, 100. 

Nevin, Rebecca C., 14, 40 

Noble, Jesse, 14, illus. 37, 38, 39, 
44, 45 

Northrop, 
illus. 18 


Parry, Elizabeth, 14 

Parry, Phoebe, 14 

Pastobeee) Newly 

Patterson, Joseph, 46 

Patterson, Morris, 46 

Pew First Church, i/lus. 60 

Pew Rent, The, 44 

Philadelphia, Wilmington & Balti- 
more R R.,'7;,38, 34 

Pomeroy, Mrs. Charles, 

Pomeroy, John H., 56 

Pomeroy, Richard S., 54, 55, 56, 
illus. 57, 69 

Porter, JeeW; A..46 

Presbyterial Commission, 8, 10, 38 

Pulpit Furniture, z//us. 27 


illus. 





Revaaiicury. = DD 17. 


illus. 20 


Reed, Harvey, illus. 103 
Reports to General Assembly, 149- 
153 


Retrospect, A, 33 
Ridley Park Academy, 39, 40 
Ridley Park Association, 37 
Ridley Park Hotel, i/lus. 95 
Ridley Park Station, illus. 11 
Righter,- Charles: E., ilus.- 4: 55; 
illus. 102 
Robbins, Rev. F. H., 14 
Rodgers, Robert, z//us. 102 
Rodgers, Elsie G., illus. 89 
Rodgers, Robert, 55 
Rushbridge, Miss A., 116 
Rushbridge, Rev. J. L., 115 


Savidge, Esq. Frank A., 54 
Sawyer. Het aa 53 
Schlosser, Rev. Henry, 17 


Schweitzer, Rev. Frederick, 24, 
illus. 26 

Schweitzer, Mrs. Frederick, illus. 
26 


Segner, W. C., 92 

Session, The, i//us. 31 

Sewing Circle at Work, illus. 129 

Sewing Circle, The, 54, 59, 127 

Sewing Circle officers, 131 

Shirley, George W., 14; illus. 41, 
44 

Simpson, Mrs. M., 97 

Smith, Mrs. Jane T., 14, 15 

Smith, John, 10, 36, 37, 38, 46, 96. 
98 

Stackhouse, Miss Bessie, 116 

Stewart, Mrs. Richard B., illus. 43 

Stewart, Richard B., 14, 39, illus. 
43, 44, 46, 48 

Stull, George W.., 
illus. 101 

Sunday School, The, 92 

Sunday School Annual Report of 
EEA 81} 

Sunday School First Session, 96 

Sunday School First Scholars, 16; 
illus. 81 


Residence of, 


Sunday School officers, i//us. 107, 
140 

Sunday School Membership Roll, 
137 


Sunday School Scholars, i//us. 108- 
114 


157 


Sunday School Primary Roll, 140 
Superintendents, The, illus. 80, 99, 
100 


Tablet in memory of Dr. Grier, 
a2 

Taylor, AW. Curtis, 49% 50 

Tome, Jacob, 46 

Trees Planted, illus. 47 

Trustees First Board, 3 

Trustees Report of Board, 45 

Trustees, The, 61, illus. 64 

Trustees Presidents of, 63 

Trustees, Treasurers of, 63 


. # 
Trustees Secretaries of, 62 
Trustees Under Charter, 43 


Wanamaker, John, 46 
Ward, Hon. William, 42, 46 
Washington College, 10 
Washington, George, 92 
Weitzel, Mr. E. B., ailus. 102 
Wessels, Theo. A., 49 
Wheatsheaf Inn, 92 
Woodruff, R. M., illus. 101 
Worrell, Mr. William, 46 


Young, Richard, 39 





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